Durham GroupAs well as organising walks, the Ramblers keep a keen eye on local footpaths and are consulted by the statutory authorities when they are considering diversions and other changes to the network. This page shows you some of the improvements we have been able to obtain as a result of representations made to Durham County Council. Our thanks to the staff of the Rights of Way section, who have been able to act on the information we have given them.
Sherburn footpath number 2
This is where the footpath used to go ... when the smallholder proposed diverting it off his land to a route alongside it, it was almost impassable - the photographs below show Durham Ramblers' president Jean Rogers trying to hack her way through. And the other photograph below shows the excuse for a stile that was at the end of the path. What you can't see - or smell - is the slurry from the smallholding spilling over onto the path.
So when the County Council wrote and asked us for our comments on the proposed diversion, we said we couldn't agree unless major improvements were made.
These photographs show what the footpath looks like today: branches cut back, a proper surface, and a sturdy stile.
Lanchester footpath 28
The farmer at Hollybush Farm kept pigs in the field crossed by Lanchester footpath 28, a source of constant annoyance to Derwentside Ramblers' footpaths officer Ted Sproat. So Ted complained - repeatedly - to Durham County Council that the pigs had churned up the path making it impassable whenever it was wet. Also there were no stiles into or out of the field. The Ramblers proposed a diversion around the edge of the field which was - at the time - a viable alternative.
But by the time the County Council had drawn up the plans, things had changed. The pigs had undermined the proposed new route, and created a pool where the path was supposed to go.
On the right you can see the then Area Footpaths Officer Tony Jones exploring the route, and below, just what pigs can do if left to their own devices. the problem was so bad, it was featured on the national Ramblers' web site as the footpath problem of the month and made the pages of the Daily Mirror.
All this publicity eventually paid off. We now have a good footpath essentially on the line of the diversion we suggested, but avoiding the pool, and the pigs are happily in their field - on the other side of the fence.
Footnote: Tony Jones, pictured above, died in 2007 and is much missed.