Work to restore Blackpool's public footpaths heading in right direction

Parts of Marton Moss are becoming more accessible after work was undertaken to restore public footpaths which had become unpassable.
By Shelagh Parkinson
Published 28th Oct 2021, 10:16 BST
Footpath 11 before any work was carried outFootpath 11 before any work was carried out
Footpath 11 before any work was carried out

A handful of routes have been reopened or will soon be reopened in the semi-rural area on the edge of Blackpool following co-operation between landowners, the council and Marton Moss Forum.

Work has also been done by the council towards reopening footpath 11 which leads from Preston New Road to Marton Mere through Marton Mere Holiday Village.

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Marton Moss Forum, which is overseeing a neighbourhood plan for the Moss, has reported paths linking Sandy Lane (off School Road) to Worthington Road, and between Werneth House (just off Division Lane) and Sandy Lane are now open.

It is hoped to clear the path between Midgeland Road and New Hall Avenue and then onto Jubilee Lane.

Drainage work to a pipe at New Hall Avenue has also been done by Blackpool Council while Lancashire County Council have been clearing the dyke on Midgeland Road, by Midgeland Farm, to stop water flowing over the road.

It is now hoped to form a group of volunteers to work with the council to keep the footpaths on the Moss clear.

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Issues including missing signs and blocked routes across Blackpool’s 12km of public footpaths were raised by Ken Cridland, a member of the public, when he addressed the council’s tourism, economy and communities scrutiny committee in February.

He warned there were a number of rights of way on Marton Moss which needed attention with “at least four paths where undergrowth is a serious problem, two blocked by fences with no stiles or bridges, one blocked off by locked gates and two appear blocked by buildings.”

A subsequent council report said six rights of way in the borough were unpassable, and it would cost £40,000 to restore all 47 public footpaths across the town.

Councils have a statutory duty to maintain public rights of way which includes keeping them in a fit state to use, removing obstructions, adding signs, working with landowners and protecting the public’s right to use paths.

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Related topics:WorkLancashire County CouncilBlackpool