Author Archives: Alisha Kinkead Weekes

Knutsford Town Council is appealing for users of Moorside to provide evidence of their use to support it being registered as a public right of way.

The Town Council has started the process to register ten new public rights of way across the town. The evidence for the first ‘Definitive Map Modification Order’ application, which applies for the route from Mallard Close to the Tatton Park Dog Wood entrance, has been gathered and an application has been submitted to Cheshire East Council. 

The council is now gathering evidence for the next route, Moorside. This is the unadopted section of Moorside, from where the adopted highway ends just past the Moor, through to Dury Lane. 

Often, historic public rights of way remain unrecorded despite long standing use by the community, and the need to register a path doesn’t get flagged until there is a threat to access and the council is therefore working proactively to ensure that where evidence supports it, these routes are formally protected for future generations.

Whilst applications are quite straight forward, the process to amend the Definitive Map is detailed and can take several years to complete once submitted to Cheshire East Council.

The Town Council expects to apply to register this route as a ‘Byway Open to All Traffic’, a form of public right of way which covers travel on foot, bicycle and motorised vehicles. Registration will strengthen the Town Council and Cheshire East Council’s powers to ensure the Moorside is passable but would not mean it was maintained to a standard of a typical road. So, the council are inviting evidence from anyone who has used the route on foot or by vehicle.

Applications require the submission of robust evidence demonstrating continuous public use for a period of 20 years, alongside other historic evidence of their existence.  The Town Council has identified ten paths which it believes would meet the legal tests and are not currently adopted highways or recorded public rights of way.

The council is inviting residents and members of the public who have used this path over the past 20 years or more (i.e. since 2006 or before) to contact the Town Council on 01565 653 929 or enquiries@knutsfordtowncouncil.gov.uk to obtain an evidence form. Statements, photographs, maps, or any historical documentation relating to the route may assist in supporting the application.

Cllr April Johnson said “This part of Moorside is an important right of way in our town centre. It’s a well used route and borders on the RAMSAR and SSSI site of the Moor Pool. 

This DMMO application is about protecting a historic route that has been used by local people for generations. It’s not about creating a new path, but ensuring that a long-established public right of way is properly recognised and safeguarded for future generations.

Moorside has long been an important route within our community. Securing its status through a Definitive Map Modification Order would help preserve an important piece of Knutsford’s heritage while ensuring residents can continue to enjoy safe and lawful access.”

The full list of routes the council plans to prepare evidence for is at available at www.knutsfordtowncouncil.gov.uk/prow

Sparrow Lane had a makeover with the help of volunteers on Thursday 11^th June.

Residents and volunteers from Bruntwood worked to help improve access along the well-used footpath.

As part of its strategy to support active travel and accessibility for the community, Knutsford Town Council arranged a volunteering session to help clear the build-up of detritus and overgrowth which has been narrowing the path from Delmar Road to Higher Downs.

Despite some rainy weather, 24 volunteers gave their time and energy to support the practical improvement day that will benefit residents.  By widening the footpath, the team helped create a more open and usable route, improving accessibility and helping to ensure the path can be enjoyed by more people through the year. 

Spirits were high with the sense of achievement for a few hours work, and the day highlighted the value of working together as a community and it is hoped that the event will inspire further community involvement in future improvement days.

Jeanette Hine, Corporate Support Manager said “We would like to thank everyone who took part in in the day and contributed to its success.  The strong turn out reflects the continuing commitment of local people caring for the town’s green spaces and public footpaths and we are very grateful for their support”

The town council will be holding further improvement days throughout the year.  Anyone who would like to register an interest, please contact Jeanette Hine at jeanette.hine@knutsfordtowncouncil.gov.uk or contact the council offices on 01565 653929.

Children from two Knutsford schools learnt all about newts and pondlife with guest speaker, David Orchard from the Amphibian and Reptile Group of Lancashire (ARGL) on Wednesday 25^th and Thursday 26^th May.

As part of this year’s Nature Action Plan theme – Frogs and Pondlife, Knutsford Town Council organised for David to attend St Vincent’s and Bexton primary schools where groups of children gathered to learn lots of interesting facts about newts.  They learned that newts are amphibians, that they can be found in Britain, and the sort of things that newts eat and their predators.

All the children had the opportunity to hold a Palmate newt, and David highlighted what sorts of ponds newts can be found in, where they lay their eggs and how quickly they grow.

The children were given a pondlife diary, created by the Town Council, which contained guidance on creating a pond at home and space to record their first year’s findings.

“Most children have never seen a newt, so bringing these animals into school is an important educational experience. Being able to see a newt close up means so much more than seeing one on the TV or internet and seeing the children’s excitement and interest in these animals is great to see. Such experiences help children to understand and connect with nature, which is essential if we’re going to protect our environment in the future,” said David.

Liz Ledwith, PPA teacher from Bexton Primary said, “Thank you again for organising David  ‘The Newt Man’ to come in and talk to the children regarding these amazing amphibians. The children loved holding the creatures and I’m hopeful we have many budding ecologists for the future”.

The Town Council is looking to map garden ponds to understand the network and is actively encouraging residents to create ponds, big or small, in their garden with the opportunity to enter the Knutsford’s Best Pond competition.

You can find out more about the importance of ponds, find resources to create your own pond, and log your pond or enter the competition at www.knutsfordtowncouncil.gov.uk/pondlife

Volunteers are sought to join the Knutsford Town Rangers and help clear a popular footpath.

Knutsford Town Council is asking for help to tidy up Sparrow Lane with the aim of removing the build-up of detritus and overgrowth which has been narrowing the path.

The Town Council is working to support active travel and accessibility for the community, and improving public footpaths helps to enhance safety, increase accessibility for wheelchairs and pushchairs and contributes to a better local environment.

“Our Town Rangers tackle a number of jobs like this every week, but for some tasks, like this, a few extra pairs of hands really help” said Jeanette Hine, Corporate Support Manager at the Town Council.

“it’s a great opportunity to be outside, meet new people and give back to the community while making a visible difference”.

All tools and gloves will be provided, and volunteers will help remove the build-up of bramble and weeds and dig out the old dirt and leaves that have made the path harder to pass over.

Are you able to help on Thursday 11th June at 10 am?

Those interested in participating are invited to contact Jeanette Hine at jeanette.hine@knutsfordtowncouncil.gov.uk or contact the council offices on 01565 653929.