THE Open Spaces Society, Britain’s oldest national conservation body, is delighted that its threat of legal action has caused Herefordshire Council to reopen obstructed and overgrown paths in the county.

Previously the Ross Gazette has highlighted issues with the Wye Valley Walk and now the society’s local correspondent, Dave Howerski, has reported issues to the council concerning the Abbey Dore parish.

The society served Herefordshire Council with eight legal notices stating that the public highways were out of repair.

Faced with possible court action, the council admitted liability and has since reopened the paths.

Mr Howerski: “While there is still more work to chase up, the use of legal notices under the Highways Act has galvanised Herefordshire Council into remedial action, which would not otherwise have been done.

‘I am delighted to see the public-path network in Abbey Dore being opened up with improved access and signage.

“This is a beautiful area, much enjoyed by residents and visitors; the council shoots itself in the foot when it allows paths to be blocked because that deters visitors from coming and enjoying the county.’

A spokesperson at Herefordshire Council said: “The authority is responsible for maintaining more than 2,100 miles of Public Rights of Way across Herefordshire.

“We recognise the importance of this network and encourage anyone who identifies an issue to report it so it can be logged and assessed by our Public Rights of Way team. Residents can report issues via the Council’s website.

“We have increased inspection capacity and continue to work with parish clerks, volunteer parish footpath officers and contractors to identify and address issues across the network.

“We are also improving how reports and completed works are recorded and shared with partners to support more effective delivery and tracking.”