Volunteers will soon be helping maintain rights of ways and parks in the Newtown area under continued plans by Powys County Council to reduce costs.
The council says improvement work to paths and parks in the county will be led by a team of volunteers as part of a new pilot scheme.
The council is already training a small team of volunteers who will organise and supervise essential works on public rights of way and local parks.
The new volunteer leaders will work alongside rights of way officers to lead and co-ordinate this works which will increase the capacity to improve access to the Powys countryside for the enjoyment of everyone.
Cabinet Member for Countryside Services, John Powell, said: “It is a time of significant change for the councils in that we are having to change how we deliver services.
“Our countryside services team have taken up this challenge by working with key stakeholders from the Ramblers Association, British Horse Society and Treadlightly to introduce this pilot scheme.
“The volunteer works have previously been organised and supervised by our own staff. This pilot will free-up officers so that more time can be spent negotiating works and resolving problems, with the hope that it will lead to more practical works being undertaken.”
He added: “We are extremely grateful for the work of all our volunteers. Together we can make a real difference to our paths, parks and open spaces in Powys and help build stronger communities.”
Alan Austin, Chair of Powys Ramblers, said: “We are delighted to be working with the council to increase the contribution volunteers will be able to make to the rights of way network.
“We are very fortunate in Powys to have some of the finest walking country in the world, accessed by a total of 12,000 footpaths, bridleways and byways. With this privilege comes the huge task of maintaining the network and the council needs all the help we can offer.
“Many of our rights of way have existed for hundreds of years and they form an important part of our heritage and we owe it to ourselves and future generations to make sure they are not lost and are kept in a good state for all of us to enjoy.
The pilot scheme is being partly funded by Natural Resources Wales through the Joint Working Partnership.
The Ramblers Association also provided a grant to provide tools for the volunteers to use.
The council said anyone wanting to help open up the rights of way network in Powys, have fun, learn new skills and meet new people, can contact Nina Davies on 01597 827683 or email nina.davies@powys.gov.uk
