Town walk route could be changed
The route for the 2009 Bridgnorth Walk could be changed for the first time in its 42-year history, members of its organising committee revealed today.
Bridgnorth Walk 2008" class="imageframe imgalignright" height="130" src="http://www.shropshirestar.com/wp-content/uploads/2008/05/walk.thumbnail.jpg" width="175"/>The route for the 2009 Bridgnorth Walk could be changed for the first time in its 42-year history, members of its organising committee revealed today.
The announcement comes as Bridgnorth awaits the start of the new Whitburn Street relief road which will change the road layout of the town centre.
Derek Moorhouse, chairman of the Bridgnorth Walk, said there could be changes if the 22-mile walk goes ahead next year.
He said: "As always we don't make a decision on whether the walk will take place or not until January. It all depends on the support of the police, the council and the Burwarton Estate. Without that support and input it could not take place.
"But when you look at £120,000 raised for charity - dare we stop it?
"Road closures and the new bypass relief road may mean that we amend the course slightly. It's all to do with safety procedures.
"Rumours about having to pay for road closures are a countywide thing and way down the line, it's nothing particularly to do with the walk."
Walk committee members met last night to finalise figures on this year's walk, which took place on Monday.
Mr Moorhouse said that they are on target with last year's record-breaking total of £120,000 for charity.
He said that, so far, the amount was around £110,000 but that was always increased by the time the money came in.
Participants in this year's walk had to deal with some horrific weather conditions.
But Mr Moorhouse said: "A total of 970 seniors started the walk and 940 finished. There were no serious injuries and no-one had to be taken to hospital."
The walk presentation will take place on July 14 at St Mary's Church, Bridgnorth.