Welshpool Town CouncilFC281026/9.4 - Public Rights of Way - Obstructions
This was a decision taken on 28/10/2026 by Full Council numbered WTCM961.
Status: Completed
Vote Type: Standard
Proposer: Cllr Revd William Rowell
Seconder: Cllr Jackson Quarrell
Decision:
The Town Clerk presented a report concerning obstructions and maintenance issues affecting public rights of way within Welshpool.
Members discussed the difficulties caused by overgrown vegetation and other obstructions, noting that responsibility for maintaining and enforcing public rights of way rested principally with Powys County Council.
Concern was expressed that some issues were recurring and that more could be done locally to identify and report problems.
Members discussed the possibility of involving councillors and volunteers in monitoring routes and reporting obstructions, making use of local knowledge to help identify areas requiring attention.
The potential use of the Visit Welshpool app was also raised, particularly as a means of helping residents and visitors identify routes and report problems.
It was recognised that any arrangements introduced by the Town Council should complement the County Council's existing reporting procedures rather than duplicate them.
RESOLVED
To note the concerns regarding the condition of Public Footpath 261/G35/1 at the Croft and the wider Public Rights of Way network within Welshpool;
To establish a simple Town Council register for recording highway issues within Welshpool, including reports made to Powys County Council and the action taken;
To agree that Public Rights of Way problems should initially be reported to Powys County Council through the normal reporting procedure and subsequently escalated where they remain unresolved;
To agree that, where the Town Clerk, in consultation with the Mayor, considers that an unresolved issue may constitute an unlawful obstruction of a highway, a formal representation on behalf of the Town Council be issued to Powys County Council under Section 130(6) of the Highways Act 1980.
Accompanying Documents: