A footpath to nowhere?

I need help to get two very useful paths to the canal near Adderley restored before it is too late.

On the old 19th Century Ordnance Survey 6inch maps (1888-1913) two footpaths are clearly marked from Bagley Lane to Adderley. There are connecting small roads and a footpath leading to Audlem village
centre.

The paths converge after crossing the Shropshire boundary and join a lane to cross the canal by Pool House. The lane then goes past the old station to join the main road. These paths are shown on
all subsequent OS maps up until at least 2004.

The Cheshire sections are marked as public rights of way but are only dotted in black in Shropshire. The Shropshire paths have been dropped from the latest OS maps.

The photo shows the start of one of the paths opposite Wood Orchard Lane.

I was introduced to these paths in the early 1980's. They made a very pleasant round trip, going out on one and returning on the other or returning down the canal towpath. They were quite popular with villagers despite the rough going in places.

Sometime in the late 1990's Cheshire did extensive work on their sections of the paths, putting in all new stiles.

I found it frustrating to be brought to a virtual halt at the border. I subsequently found out that the Shropshire paths were not on the Definitive map. In 2004, I decided to ask for the right of way as far as the canal to be reinstated and put in a request to Shropshire County Council. I was supported by a number of Audlem residents prepared to say that they had regularly walked the paths.

All the necessary formalities were completed. I learned that the request had been favourably received
but was not a priority case. I was also told that the request would be considered when the County Council reviewed the paths in the area. After that nothing except that access to the canal was made
more difficult.

I have had other things to think about in the years that followed but recently I was approached by two of my supporters and asked what had happened. Shropshire's Outdoor Recreation Team gave me the answer.

The request was sitting near the bottom of a pile of some 60 applications. However I was told that a renewed push might produce some results.

This is where I need help. If any reader walked these paths from the 1970's onwards please get in touch.

The map shows an image showing the paths on a map.

Peter Kay can be contacted at r.peter.k@gmail.com

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