A councillor has called for more to be done to support a project mapping walking routes across the district.

The new slowways.org website launched last week – but so far only highlights one route from Burntwood to Lichfield.

At a meeting of Lichfield District Council in December Cllr Steve Norman, leader of the Labour opposition group, had a proposal agreed that the local authority would “offer appropriate financial and other support such as encouraging the county council to provide safe footway improvements”.

Cllr Steve Norman
Cllr Steve Norman

Cllr Norman said the council needed to support the voluntary project now it is up and running.

“It is great that one anonymous volunteer has suggested a route between Burntwood and Lichfield which members of the public are invited to test, especially as there is no immediate prospect of the county council providing a footpath along the A5190. 

“I hope that the Conservative cabinet at the district council will now assist slow ways volunteers with publicising these routes in our district, helping with maintenance and signposting where appropriate and pressing the county council, which has responsibility for Rights of Way, to maintain and improve them.” 

Cllr Steve Norman, Lichfield District Council

During lockdown 700 volunteers drafted over 7,000 slow ways routes that connect all of Great Britain’s towns and cities as well as thousands of villages.

The plan now is for volunteers and groups to check over 100,000km of routes including those in Lichfield and Burntwood.

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Michel Souris
2 years ago

There are several routes around Lichfield rather than the one quoted in the article.
https://beta.slowways.org/Place/lichfield

The initiative needs to be supported by all. Let’s hope LDC pulls its finger out and actively promotes the idea.

John Griffin
2 years ago

As a SlowWays volunteer we can only wish some support up. It’s a nation wide project to revive foot travel, appreciate nature an d improve health

Stephen Sanders
2 years ago

The Councils interest in walking is to be welcomed and a perfect opportunity to remind readers about The Darwin Walk. The Darwin Walk has been a feature of Lichfield for over thirty years. The Walk is imbedded in the Civic Diary with the Sheriff’s Walk, usually held in the early spring. The Walk is open to everyone, young and old. Over the years there have been minor changes to the route of the walk to accommodate road works, railway developments and, of course, the growth of housing estates. Covid has meant that the Walk has been suspended for over a year but the Trust’s committee members have spent the time revising the walk to avoid as much of the development that would spoil the enjoyment of a walk around our City. The Darwin Walk celebrates the achievements of Erasmus Darwin, doctor, naturalist, scientist, poet and pioneer of women’s education and most importantly a citizen of Lichfield. The Walk is not too demanding and the new routes will be suitable for young and old boots!