Four new gates have been installed as a major improvement to an important footpath in Garsington.
The Oxford Fieldpaths Society and Trust for Oxfordshire’s Environment funded the installation of four kissing gates to replace stiles along a half mile long stretch of the Oxford Green Belt Way through the village.
The project has been managed by Tina Everett, Garsington Parish Path Warden and the parish council and Arthur McEwan-James, Field Officer of Oxfordshire’s County Council’s Countryside Access Team gave technical advice for the £2,675 scheme.
The Oxford Fieldpaths Society agreed to donate £1,035 to pay for the purchase of the four gates from Centrewire Ltd and the installation was supported by TOE2 with funds from Grundon Waste Management, and carried out by Buryhook Countryside Management.
Jim Parke, chairman of the society, said: "For some years the Oxford Fieldpaths Society has funded the replacement of stiles by gates under its Donate-a-Gate scheme.
"Often walkers who are less agile than others have difficulty in climbing over stiles.
"Over the past five years the society has spent over £3,000 on installing gates to replace stiles on the main recreational paths in the county, including the d’Arcy Dalton Way, the Oxfordshire Way, the Wychwood Way and now the Oxford Green Belt Way.
"By doing this the society is fulfilling one of its major aims – to improve access to the countryside."
Fiona Danks, director of TOE2, added: "We are delighted to support this project to improve access to local rights of way and encourage more people to enjoy exploring Oxfordshire’s countryside."
Ms Everett said: "We are grateful to Garsington Parish Council and the local land owners for supporting this project."
On Wednesday, June 22 the society has an evening walk in its summer programme, starting from the outskirts of Oxford in Grenoble Road at 6.30pm to include the stretch of the Oxford Green Belt Way in Garsington.
The walk will include the installation of plaques on the gates at 7pm on Oxford Road at the top of the hill.
Members of the public are welcome to join the walk and further details can be obtained from Jim Parke at jmh.parke@btinternet.com
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