Bradgate Park: Repairs approved for miles of potholed paths

The park's popularity with walkers has contributed to the damage.

Plans to fix potholes on paths around Leicestershire's Bradgate Park have been approved.

The Bradgate Park Trust, which manages the popular beauty spot near Newtown Linford, said a 2.3-mile (3.8km) track that loops around the 850-acre (343-hectare) deer park had become "muddy" and "unusable" in parts.

It said rising numbers of visitors had led to wear and tear.

Charnwood Borough Council has approved the trust's proposal to mend the route.

Park bosses want to keep the growing numbers of visitors to the paths to protect wildlife

The Local Democracy Reporting Service said Bradgate Park had seen a surge in visitors since 2014, with 750,000 people now visiting every year and the damage was a side effect of its popularity.

Work would now be carried out to shore up the paths for users.

A report by council officers said: "It is acknowledged that the park has been subject to extensive erosion which is attributed to an increased usage of the park, specifically the track that is the subject of this application.

"It is agreed that the proposal would assist in reducing the damage to the fragile and designated landscape within Bradgate Park and assist in restoring the landscape."

Preventing damage

Newtown Linford Parish Council expressed concerns about the resurfacing plan warning it "could lead to excessive use by Bradgate Park Trust vehicles and unwanted incursions such as trail bikes".

Bradgate Park Trust director James Dymond said: "Bradgate Park Trust recognises that the park is a very busy place at times and whilst many visitors do stay on the main carriageway, others wish to see the wider park.

"By resurfacing a main track up to Old John, we're aiming to provide a better route for visitors and also prevent the current damage and erosion taking place on this track.

"Encouraging people to keep to surfaced tracks will also minimise potential damage and disturbance to other areas of the park and important habitats and wildlife that make the park a site of special scientific interest (SSSI)."