Stockport Council has worked with two footpath societies to re-open a historic footpath near Etherow Country Park after decades of disuse.
The footpath crosses Gigg Brook valley from Far Benfield Farm on Cowlishaw Road, Compstall to near Hyde’s Farm on School Lane, providing an opportunity for a number of circular walks from Etherow Country Park, or longer routes encompassing Werneth Low.
A major contribution towards the cost of the works to reopen the footpath was made by Stockport Council who negotiated with the current landowners.
Councillor Iain Roberts, Stockport Council’s Executive Member for Economic Development and Regeneration, said:
“The present landowners were very helpful in making this project come to life and I would like to publicly thank them for allowing access over their land. I’m delighted that another footpath has been restored in this area, which is so popular with walkers and runners. The Council welcomes all initiatives where it can work alongside voluntary organisations to achieve positive results for the community. This is an excellent example of positive partnership working.”
John Broadbent, chairman of the Peak & Northern Footpaths Society (PNFS), said:
“Our recent interest in this path was a result of a volunteer coming across a long-forgotten file in our archives. The file revealed the history of this now forgotten footpath and how important this footpath had been to our predecessors. The PNFS raised the matter and it was agreed that the Society would fund a new bridge over Gigg Brook in return for the Council paying for improvements on the rest of the footpath to make the bridge accessible.
“The Ramblers offered to contribute financially to the works needed and their support has enabled steps and a boardwalk to be built. The Society is proud to have provided the funds for the bridge from legacies we have received. We are very pleased with the bridge constructed by George Cox & Co. The bridge will be dedicated to the memory of one of the Society’s finest officers, Adrian Littleton, who died in early 2012.”
The Ramblers representative, Edgar Ernstbrunner (Manchester Area) said:
“It is thrilling to see this project finally come to fruition. Our policy is to part-fund (usually 50:50) deserving projects such as this one. The contribution from our funds has enabled the footpath to be improved and a set of steps constructed down a steep bank.”