The Community Paths Initiative is a small grants scheme to fund projects that improve or promote countryside access and rights of way. It is open to parish and town councils, as well as other community or interest organisations. Typical projects include:

• Purchase of tools and machinery to undertake vegetation clearance.
• Replacement of stiles with gates to improve access for those with limited mobility and users with pushchairs and young children.
• Installation of boardwalks or bridges to cross boggy areas, ditches and streams.
• Replacement of fingerposts and interpretation boards
• Publication of promotional leaflets of local walks

Typically, grants of up to a couple of thousand pounds  are available but contributions are almost always sought from the applicant. Match funding can come from any non-Staffordshire County Council source such as parish council funds, volunteer time, landfill tax or local businesses. The county council sets aside £30,000 each year for the Community Paths Initiative.

Find out more about the fund by emailing rightsofway@staffordshire.gov.uk