A Ross councillor has been lobbying to fix up a much beloved walking route in the town.

The town and country trail is a disused railway line that runs round the edge of Ross from Hildersley to the Walford Road. It’s designed for general leisure activities, as well as helping people with physical and mental wellbeing.

Sections of the trail have become a ‘permanent quagmire’ even in the height of summer, even after weeks of dry weather, where there are sections that ‘require wellies’ to traverse.

Local councillor Paul Symonds told the Gazette: “I got the bit between my teeth and decided it had gone on long enough, so I started - about a year ago - with one funding route which drew a blank, another funding route which drew a blank, and a third funding route which came through in the end. This is why it took so long to get the contract lined up.”

The third and successful funding route came from a covid recovery fund from Herefordshire council, which aimed to promote physical activity. The bid also aimed to strengthen the local economy, as Ross-on-Wye is a popular tourist destination for walkers. Walkers are Welcome, a nationwide walking initiative supported the bid, as well as the Ross Tourism Association.

Walkers are Welcome is a nationwide initiative launched in 2007 to promote and help develop walking routes. They enable members from the over 100 towns and villages to assist with their communities’ economic, physical health, and mental well-being through walking.

Ross-on-Wye became accredited as a ‘Walkers are Welcome’ town in July 2009. The local group is run by a small number of volunteers, keen walkers, and experienced guides. They are also supported by a designated Town Councillor.

Due to the nature of the funding route, Ross Town Council were the ones who had to submit the bid.

So far, most of the bottom section has been completed - between Penyard Lane and Hildersley - further improvements will include Betzdorf Walk, on the other side of the Walford Road.