Partnerships
South Telford Rights of Way Partnership (STROWP)
The Parish Council was one of the founder members of STROWP, along with Madeley, Hollinwood & Randlay. Dawley Hamlets and The Gorge Parish Councils, the Severn Gorge Countryside Trust, Shropshire County Council and the then Wrekin District Council. The Partnership was set up to counter the loss of rights of way arising from the continuing development of land. As the rights of way were not shown on the definitive map, they had no legal status and could be easily extinguished.
The Partnership's first action was to bring the definitive map up to date, and over 200 footpaths throughout South Telford were registered.
The second phase for the Partnership was to bring the rights of way up to a reasonable standard, so that they could be used and enjoyed by local people. This included path resurfacing, the provision of signs, stiles, gates, bridges and seats, clearing undergrowth and preparing maps and information about the footpaths.
In the third phase the Partnership has focused on encouraging the use of the rights of way network, by organised walks (including the Telford Trail), the production of more maps and local information sheets and presentations to schools and local groups. At the same time the Partnership has acted as a conduit for complaints about the condition of many of the paths with the Borough of Telford & Wrekin, which as the Highways Authority is responsible for the maintenance and accessibilty of the network. The Partnership has concerns that Telford & Wrekin's budget for rights of way is inadequate to meet local people's needs and continues to press for improvements.
The Council remains firm in its support for STROWP. Our local footpaths provide routes for people to get to work, leisure walks into our lovely local countryside, access to local historical sites and help to improve our health.
In the year 2009-10 the Parish Council's contribution to STROWP was £5000.
http://www.westmercia.police.uk/localpolicing/telford-wrekin/central/the-nedge
http://www.westmercia.police.uk/localpolicing/telford-wrekin/central/brookside