Tibberton Parish Council Footpaths Project in 2026 seeks to improve the accessibility of footways and footpaths in Tibberton for the benefit of the community and enable users to access facilities in the village by undertaking actions to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions to limit the extent of climate change.
Tibberton Parish Council has conducted a public consultation in Spring 2025 as part of an ongoing programme and seeks to find ways to improve walking routes through and around the village. The aim is to enhance footpaths and footways in the village for all residents by improving accessibility. A particular focus will be the removing of barriers that prevent those with reduced mobility getting outdoors.
Greater use of our existing Public Rights of Way (PROW) footpaths can help reduce carbon emissions by encouraging people to walk instead of driving, thereby promoting active lifestyles and access to green spaces that boost well-being. Tibberton has several PROW’s through its rural community that lead to the school, to nearby main route bus stops and village amenities like the village hall and church.
Walking on paths is the primary way we gain access to nature that boosts well-being. But while our PROW’s are open to us all, unnecessary barriers can block far too many of us, especially those with reduced mobility from enjoying their benefits. Many of these PROW’s are used infrequently due either their poor upkeep, stiles that are too high, in disrepair or a unsuitable footpath surface.
Residents have expressed concerns to Tibberton Parish Council on the state of the footpaths/footways in the recent Spring 2025 survey. In response Tibberton Parish Council has consulted including villagers, landowners, the GCC PROW officer along with interested organisations.
By improving existing PROW’s so that more people can make use of the footpaths and footways already available we expect to see more people using these rights of way and therefore decreasing the number of car journeys in the village.
For landowners, this also translates into better-managed lands, enhanced public relations and ultimately, making our paths accessible is a step towards a more inclusive, healthier, and environmentally sustainable society.
Tibberton Parish Council is now working with landowners and all stakeholders to encourage and support the community in making improvements to the footpaths and footways.
Tibberton Parish Council will follow up these initiatives by publicising these improved valuable access routes to the village amenities with publications, social media and display notices in suitable locations.
The condition of Tibberton Footpaths routes firstly depends on their conditions and impacts on their popularity. Footpaths that are currently inaccessible or difficult to access pose an increased safety risk whereas routes that are heavily used becoming worn quite quickly and needing more maintenance and upkeep. Footpaths are sensitive to severe weather including wind and rain that can cause erosion. Increases in this damage due to climate change pose a significant risk to their condition.
Examples of possible ways to improve access to PROW so that more people can make better use of the Tibberton footpaths.
Tibberton Parish Council Footpaths project plan comprising of a series of small initiatives that will take action to improve individual PROW footpath locations throughout the village. These will include improving footway and footpath surfaces, replacing stiles with self-closing gates, improving/replacing foot bridges, clearing overgrowing vegetation.