Guildford Ramblers’ Footpath Maintenance Team has Been Hard at Work

Published on: 16 Apr, 2023
Updated on: 18 Apr, 2023

Guildford Ramblers’ team of path maintenance volunteers have completed a mammoth amount of work adjacent to Henley Business Park in Normandy.

The ramblers group reports the path forms part of the Fox Way, a 39-mile circuit of walks around Guildford, which is popular with walkers.

Maintenance volunteers from the Guildford Ramblers hard at work.

The first task was to dig out either side of the sleeper bridge to install a ramp on either side with aggregate, using a petrol-driven compacting plate to ensure a smooth ramp surface on either side of the bridge.

On another section of the path four finger posts and a way maker were installed, some because the existing posts had become rotten and a couple were new installations to make the route clearer. In addition there was a requirement for  vegetation to be cut along the entire route and plastic rubbish to be collected. 

The final part of the work included replacing some rotten handrails and supports on a bridge which had become a safety hazard. 

Guildford Ramblers says a team usually goes out every month to a particular path or problem, which has previously been agreed with Surrey County Council, which provides the tools for any major work.

The monthly working party makes a major contribution to maintaining and improving the footpaths in this part of Surrey, clearing overgrown paths, cutting back trees and shrubs, erecting kissing gates, stiles, bridges and finger signpost and way mark posts.

Lynne Davies, who chairs Guildford Ramblers, adds: “The public usually think of the Ramblers as people who go walking for their own enjoyment, but a major issue for us is to help keep public rights of way in our area open for all to enjoy.

“The county council no longer has the funds to look after all our footpaths as they would wish to and so volunteer groups like the Ramblers are making a major contribution to the upkeep of footpaths for the benefit of all walkers in our county.”

All are welcome to join Guildford Ramblers on one of its walks. There is an eight- to 10-mile mile walk every weekend (usually Saturday) and a five- to six-mile mile walk on a Wednesday morning.

There is a shorter ‘taster’ walk on the first Monday morning of the month.

For further information go to www.guildfordramblers.org.uk and click on the walks programme tab.

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