Footpaths close amid safety fear

Several footpaths at Severn Valley Country Park, Alveley, have been closed due to fears for public safety.

The paths have been shut temporarily because of the risk of potential landslips or flooding following the recent bad weather.

The closures include the Route 45 cycle path from Alveley to Hampton Loade and it is not yet known when they will reopen.

Park ranger Ed Andrews said warning signs had been erected in the park after whole sections of rights of way were wiped out.

He said: "Tributaries bringing water through the park to the River Severn have burst their banks, and wherever there were bridges or paths it has scoured them away."

He added that insurance assessors were looking at the damage, and quotes would be obtained to carry out restoration work, which could take months.

There will be diversions in place for visitors to the park, but walking from Alveley up river towards Hampton Loade and beyond will not be possible.

This is the latest damage as a result of last month's storms and flash floods. A landslide on the main road leading into Hampton Loade cut off access for residents on June 19.

And parts of the Severn Valley Railway track were left suspended in mid-air after embankments were washed away during the downpours, leaving bosses with no option but to shut the line between Bridgnorth and Bewdley.

The news of the closures came as Shifnal town council announced it was hoping to create a blueprint for Shropshire by setting up a new committee to deal with unexpected emergencies such as flooding.

The emergency planning committee is the brainchild of Stuart West, a former town mayor. Councillor West hopes that the scheme can be rolled out across the county.