'Shroppie' footpath discussions

Discussions have re-opened on how the 'footpath' from the playing field down to the Shroppie Fly car park can be improved. At present, it is unsigned and can be slippery with bare earth and tree roots on the moderately steep slope while the steps at the bottom are hardly inviting.

This is the shortest route from the public car park to Audlem Wharf, a popular attraction for visitors to the village and home to some of Audlem's best known businesses, the Mill Shop and the Shroppie Fly and with the Bridge Inn only a short step away.

A meeting has been arranged with British Waterways and there have already been discussions with Cheshire East. There have been debates over many years about where the exact boundary lies between BW's and the council's property but a definitive map has now been supplied by BW.

The potential issue is how to improve the path at a reasonable cost with the full 'bells & whistles' approach that tends to be favoured by councils, but which is very expensive, while an improved path suitable for most people would be considerably cheaper and therefore much likely to be affordable.

The path is an important thoroughfare at events like the Transport Festival, particularly since historic boats on the canal has emerged as an additional attraction to the hundreds of vehicles on the playing field.

Any improvement will, of course, be too late for this weekend's Transport Festival but, hopefully, a solution to this long-running issue might be found. This will be welcomed by the businesses on the Wharf and, almost certainly, the many users of this footpath.

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