We have received this update from Henbury Parish Council about the condition of the footpath from Henbury Rise to Whirley Road.
Thank you to all those that have commended the Parish Council for arranging and paying for repairs to the footpath from Henbury Rise to Whirley. Over the coming months we will be continuing to carry out further remedial works to ensure the community can safely use this vital link.
We have, however, been asked on a number of occasions why the path has not been repaired near the kissing gate which leads into Whirley fields. This part of the path has apparently been repaired by Cheshire East Council's contractors twice, and when Henbury residents have written to CEC Public Rights of Way Officers, the response has been "The footpath is in constant and regular use by all abilities of people and Cheshire East Council's view is that the path is in a condition that allows its use by local people."
Henbury Parish Council does not take this view, and this is why we have created a plan to clear the mulch and re-stone the path over the next couple of years. With regards to this particularly deep section, which is only passable in wellingtons, we felt we needed to offer CEC the opportunity to recall their contractors and make good the previous work. They have chosen not to do so, so Henbury Parish Council will shortly arrange for our contractor to make the path good.
It is Henbury Parish Council's vision to ensure this path is fit for purpose. Many of the senior residents tell us that the council were obliged to maintain a good path from Henbury to Whirley when the primary school moved from School Lane to Whirley Road in 1976. Sadly, despite requests from HPC, Cheshire East are unable to find the documents relating to this obligation. If anyone knows where they might be archived HPC would be delighted to hear from you at henbury.clerk@gmail.com
If you spot any serious issues other than the above, please email richardslater.hpc@gmail.com