Enjoy the Daffodil Way with improved footpath access
Since the project started, 24 stiles have been replaced by kissing gates, which allow people to pass through while keeping livestock safely contained. They provide greater accessibility as stiles can be difficult to navigate, especially for people with mobility difficulties, older people and those with young children.
Gloucestershire County Council’s public rights of way team has been working with Kempley Parish Council (KPC) to replace as many stiles in the area as possible, with the support of landowners and farmers.
Landowners are responsible for footpath stiles and gates on their land and are expected to maintain them in good order. However replacing the stiles with kissing gates is expensive, so KPC have jointly funded the new kissing gates with the county council. On heavily used footpaths, like the Daffodil Way, the new gates reduce maintenance costs for farmers so everyone benefits.
Work has been taking place in batches since the project started in spring 2021, with the most recent ones being installed in February 2024.
The latest batch was planned to coincide with the start of the wild daffodil season in Kempley and surrounding parishes, which attracts hundreds of visitors to the area each spring who walk the Daffodil Way. Work will finish in time for the Kempley Daffodil Weekend, which this year takes place on 16-17 March.
KPC has also worked with local farmers and landowners to secure their support for the footpath improvements while helping them manage walkers on their land.
Martin Brocklehurst, chair of Kempley Parish Council, said: “We have had amazing support from our local family farmers for this scheme and from our local community. Every spring we welcome visitors to our village to see the wild daffodils and we organise walks with the support of our farmers. We want visitors to be able to enjoy our beautiful countryside, but to do so responsibly and remember they will be crossing working farms. That means following the paths, keeping dogs on leads and cleaning up after their pets so we can maintain the current positive working relationship with farmers in our community.”
Cllr Dom Morris, cabinet member for highways at Gloucestershire County Council, said: “It’s great news that we’ve been able to replace so many stiles with kissing gates in Kempley, in partnership with Kempley Parish Council. This will benefit all walkers, but especially those with mobility issues or young children, to ensure these footpaths are accessible for everyone. It will also help farmers by reducing their maintenance costs. I hope many people can enjoy walking the Daffodil Way in springtime and the rest of the year and benefit from these footpath improvements.”
Cllr Gill Moseley, local county councillor for Newent, said: “I’m delighted to be able to support this project with Highways Local funding. I’m very pleased that these kissing gates have been installed as they make the footpaths much more accessible for visitors. Kempley is one of the principal villages for the Daffodil Weekends so I hope they will help to attract lots of extra people, who will find it much easier to get around our beautiful countryside.”