A GROUP of walkers based in Yate and Chipping Sodbury have installed 100 gates to improve access to footpaths across South Gloucestershire.


The Southwold Ramblers set up a Footpath Warden scheme in 2012 to install carry out maintenance to the footpaths and install 100 gates across the county, including Old Sodbury, Thornbury, Wapley, Dodington and Frampton Cotterell.


Tony Harris, team leader, said: “The scheme is part of an Avon wide initiative by The Ramblers Association and local council Public Rights of Way teams.


“The co-operation between the two bodies means that more man power could be put into improving the footpath network in the Avon Area.


“Our work included replacing broken stiles with kissing gates, installing simple gates to replace stiles at the end of bridges, repairing or improving bridges and ditch crossings with steps and hand rails.
“Four to six of us have been going out on alternate Thursdays and spending about four or five hours installing gates or carrying out other maintenance work.”


The group, which is part of The Ramblers' Avon Area, operate over a large area of South Gloucestershire from the Severn Estuary to the Cotswold Edge and north of the M4 to Falfield.


Gates were also installed in Latteridge, Wickwar, Iron Acton, Alveston, Charfield and Cromhall.


The Southwold Ramblers was formed in 1976 by people interested in walking and countryside matters and organises rambles of around four to 15 miles on a regular programme throughout the year.


For more information visit www.southwold-ramblers.co.uk.