Plan to boost county's countryside attractions

Cannock Chase is one of the areas the council intends to benefit from the investment

Millions of pounds is to be invested into country parks and walking routes around Staffordshire.

The county council said it had earmarked £18m over the coming years to upgrade parks at Cannock Chase and Chasewater, as well as the 92-mile Staffordshire Way between Mow Cop and Kinver.

The authority said the investment was part of a commitment to improving residents’ quality of life.

Victoria Wilson, cabinet member for communities and culture, said the earmarked sites areas were "jewels in the crown of our county’s natural beauty.”

“Given their increased popularity since the pandemic, both country parks will benefit from being better able to handle visitors,” she added.

The councillor said the work would be carried out in a way that protected plants and wildlife and conserves the parks’ natural beauty.

'Regional destination'

She said improvements to the Staffordshire Way – including better promotion of the route – could support local businesses and tourism.

Working with consultants, the council said it would assess 12 associated circular walks along the Staffordshire Way to plan repairs and increase accessibility.

New walking guides and a website could also be developed, the council said.

The authority added that consultants would be appointed to consider how Chasewater can become a regional visitor destination and they would also look at creating a landscape discovery centre at Cannock Chase.

“Each of these projects will be carefully developed over several years, with consideration given to making them more inclusive and accessible for visitors, while conserving the natural environment,” Wilson said.