Message from Lydia Bardsley, Ruyton XI Towns Parish Clerk.
RUYTON XI TOWNS PARISH COUNCIL NEWSLETTER UPDATE
In early August the Parish Council purchased and installed new signage on the bridleway that connects Little Ness Road to the northern-most part of the Cliffe. Whereas the old signage was confusing, the replacement signs make it clear that the track is a bridleway, and that motor vehicles are prohibited except access for residents (i.e. those who live on that part of the Cliffe.)
This Parish Council project was a response to concerns from residents about motorists using the bridleway and the space outside their homes as somewhere to park for accessing the Cliffe, even though there is no public parking on that part of the Cliffe. In some cases, vehicles completely blocked the bridleway and prevented residents from leaving or gaining access to their homes. This also prevented access for emergency vehicles, which could have had serious consequences. Driving motor vehicles on a bridleway or other right of way is actually an offence under the Road Traffic Act 1988, and poses a risk to pedestrians, horse riders, and cyclists.
When considering how to address this problem, the Parish Council consulted affected residents, the local police force, as well as the Shropshire Council Outdoor Recreation and Rights of Way Enforcement teams. It was decided that clearer signage would help educate and encourage motorists to park elsewhere when visiting the Cliffe, and it is hoped that this will ensure that the bridleway remains safe for pedestrians, horse riders, cyclists etc., and that access is maintained for residents and emergency vehicles.
The new signage is fully supported by the local police force, Oswestry Rural South Safer Neighbourhood (SNT) Team, and PSCO Stuart Carroll met with Cllr Alyson Lister before the August Bank Holiday to see the signs in place for the first time. They also shared the photos below on the Oswestry SNT's Twitter page @OsCops.
The police also plan to visit the area in the near future to educate motorists who continue to drive on the bridleway, and they will issue fines for repeat offenders (though we very much hope that won't be necessary).
The Parish Council is aware of parking concerns in other parts of the parish, and we are working with Shropshire Council Highways to come up with solutions to address these. In the meantime, if you have any matters you'd like to raise with the Parish Council, or suggestions for future projects, please contact the Council.
