If you should go down to the woods today...
...you’ll be greeted by this brilliant new path
‘DIRTY trainers should now be a thing of the past’ after a new path has been created through woodland.
Weston Woods now has a safe off-road route that brings people closer to nature, with links to employment and education sites for residents and schoolchildren in the Weston Coyney and Meir area.
The permanent path is based on existing public rights of way through the woods, connecting Weston Coyney Road – opposite Cinderhill Industrial Estate – to the footpath outside Abbey Hill School and College.
The work, which took 12 weeks to complete, was managed by Stokeon-trent City Council and funded by Stoke-on-trent and Staffordshire Local Enterprise Partnership, from the Local Sustainable Transport Fund.
The path has been built using ‘no dig’ construction methods in the wooded areas to protect tree roots, with a mix of timber sleepers and concrete edgings, and a non-slip surface.
Bins for litter and dog waste have also been installed at the start and end of the path.
Councillor Daniel Jellyman, cabinet member for infrastructure, regeneration and heritage, said: “We recently reviewed public rights of way in the city with a focus on where we could make improvements which would offer the greatest benefits, and this scheme ticked all the boxes.
“The path gives residents the opportunity to access nearby employment sites at Cinderhill Industrial Estate and Park Hall Business Village without using a car.
“It also provides a safe route for children going to school in the area and benefits residents who can use it for dog walking and exercise, so it’s a real winwin on all fronts.
“Before the path it could get quite muddy for people trying to follow the right of way through the woods, but dirty trainers and clothes should now hopefully be a thing of the past.
“The path looks great and the response from the community has been very pleasing. I am in no doubt it will be a well-used path for years to come.”
Alun Rogers, chairman of the Stokeon-trent and Staffordshire LEP, said: “As the construction works at Weston Woods come to a close, in time for the spring and summer months, we are looking forward to people using the new pathway for commuting purposes, to get to local schools and for exercise and wellbeing reasons.
“This has been another great partnership project with the council and evidences how the LEP is both driving growth in the region and helping to create the right economic and social environment to support local people.”