Natural England - Our National Trail prepares for new year walkers with 21st Century podcast technology and enhanced paths
Our National Trail prepares for new year walkers with 21st Century podcast technology and enhanced paths
15 December 2009
One of the most spectacular walking experiences in England is gearing up for a ‘high tec’. New Year with an ambitious programme of path improvements and repairs, downloadable circular walks and the very first podcasts on a public walking route in the West Midlands.
Recently rated as one of the top ten, long distance walks in England, Offas Dyke Trail has been funded by Natural England, The Countryside Council for Wales and the Brecon Beacons National Park Authority (BBNPA) to strengthen and enhance the paths and their signage.
And the jewel in the crown is to be podcasts and circular routes downloadable from the internet. Ultimately they plan Bluetooth in the marker posts for onsite downloading.
“New technology is key to the future of walking.” said Rob Dingle, Offas Dyke National Trail Officer. “We know that most visitors look at the internet before coming and possibly afterwards too, so, introducing podcasts, giving them ‘on the spot’ information, history and routes is our way of responding.
“Heavy use of the trail has led to the need for path repairs at some locations. The Park Authority is undertaking a programme of works on the Hatterall Ridge in the National Park and Herefordshire for example. Repair works have involved airlifting in local stone across an area of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI), to avoid disturbing habitats, as well as transplanting peat and vegetation, using underlying stone and then replacing the peat, to provide a sustainable path surface preventing further erosion. New cross drains have also been laid.
“So far around 120 days’ work has been completed with local graziers assisting National Park staff. Being a cross border trail gives Offas Dyke Trail a special edge, as you criss-cross back and forth following history.” Rob added.
The 177 miles Offas Dyke Trail runs from Sedbury, near Chepstow, to Prestatyn through some of the most dramatic and picturesque landscapes on the English Welsh border. Some of the most spectacular parts run through Shropshire and Herefordshire.
The Trail follows the great frontier earthwork built by Offa, King of Mercia from 757 to 796 A.D. to protect the borders of his kingdom, which is the longest scheduled ancient monument in the UK, and includes a mosaic of upland heath, common grazing lands, and lowland river valleys as well as a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) covering over 30 square miles. In places the Trail rises to over 610 metres.
Around 10,000 walkers a year are thought to travel the Herefordshire stretch alone and in Shropshire, the section from Kington to Oswestry is becoming similarly popular for both walkers and birdwatchers and so will have improved information along the section. The area is home to raven, peregrine falcon, merlin and red grouse.
The Herefordshire section along Hergest Ridge near Kington, is thought to have inspired Mike Oldfield’s ‘Tubular Bells’ as well as Sir Arthur Conan Doyles’s ‘The Hound of the Baskervilles’.
“The Offas Dyke National Trail opened almost 40 years ago (1971) and after Hadrian’s Wall Path and John O’Groats to Land’s End, it is one of the most popular, so it’s vital that we ensure walkers can find and follow the designated route easily, to avoid un necessary erosion and disturbance”. Said Rob Dingle.
“There are only 16 National Trails in the country and they are the flagships of our Right of Ways. Being part of the team that look after this extraordinarily special one is brilliant”
-ends-
For press information contact:
Judie Kellie on 01299 896 555/ 07973 744161, email: judie@jkpr.co.uk or
Dean Gallen on Dean.G.Gallen@naturalengland.org.uk
Visit the National Trails website.
Notes to Editors:
Natural England is the government’s independent advisor on the natural environment. Established in 2006 our work is focused on enhancing England’s wildlife and landscapes and maximising the benefits they bring to the public.
The 1949 National Parks and Access to the Countryside Act led to the creation of National Trails, or Long Distance Paths, as they were known as in those days. The Act also led to the creation of National Parks, Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONBs) and National Nature Reserves.
Natural England oversees the management of National Trails in England and recommends long-distance routes for designation by the Government.
There are 19 official long-distance routes in Britain overseen by Natural England in England, the Countryside Council for Wales in Wales and Scottish Natural Heritage in Scotland.
The Countryside Council for Wales is an Assembly Government Sponsored Body, working for a better Wales where everyone values and cares for our natural environment. Information about our work is available our website.