Good News for Oxfordshire's Walkers

3.41.48pm GMT Tue 15th Feb 2005

Cllrs Anne Purse and Jean Fooks, with Wilf, near Beckley

For many years Oxfordshire County Council has been struggling to fulfill its statutory duties in keeping the county's footpaths open to everyone to use and enjoy. Paths have become overgrown, bridges in disrepair and signs not maintained in good order. Cllrs Jean Fooks and Anne Purse have persuaded the Executive that the budget for 2005/6 should be increased to provide a second team to work across the county to deal with these problems. The extra £61,000 in the budget will double the resources available and should start to show results before the summer.

Cllr Anne Purse said, "This is excellent news. This relatively small investment will make a huge difference to the footpaths network in Oxfordshire. Parishes and residents should see real improvements very soon. Keeping footpaths open is not just a statutory duty but makes an important contribution to people's health and quality of life."

For more information please contact:

Cllr Jean Fooks 01865 310351

Cllr Anne Purse 01865 351404