Maria Miller MP for Basingstoke is encouraging people in the area to step up and help survey their local paths as part of the Ramblers’ Big Pathwatch.
With an enviable 140,000 miles of rights of way in England and Wales people can enjoy walking, the Ramblers needs people to step out in Basingstoke and walk their favourite paths and report back on what they find using a free smartphone app.
Maria is encouraging as many people as possible in Basingstoke to get involved in the project.
She said: “The Big Pathwatch is the perfect opportunity for people to get involved in protecting the places they love to walk, as well as enjoying the health benefits of walking. We’re incredibly lucky to have so many beautiful areas for walking in Basingstoke and we all need to do our bit to make sure these places are well cared for.
“That’s why I’m supporting the Big Pathwatch and asking as many people as possible to step out and survey their local paths, reporting back on what they find.”
People can download the free Big Pathwatch app and share their experiences as they walk every right of way within a specific grid square. They’ll be asked to share the positive features of the walk, the beautiful views or interesting landscapes they see, as well as noting any problems they encounter.
The results of the Big Pathwatch will allow the Ramblers to create a comprehensive report on the state of the path network, which will be used to help identify ways to keep paths open. Where possible, Ramblers’ path maintenance teams will be heading out to fix problems found through the survey, clearing brambles and other overgrown vegetation, improving path surfaces and fixing bridges and gates.
Importantly, the results will enable the Ramblers to come up with the long term solutions to ensure the path network is protected for years to come.
Those who don’t have a smartphone can still get involved by downloading materials from the Ramblers website. To find out more, or to take part in the Big Pathwatch, visit www.Ramblers.org.uk/bigpathwatch.