Footpath budget cuts

Those who like to go walking may find they are seeing their local footpaths deteriorate, the Ramblers have said.

According to a report from the walking charity based on freedom of information requests, two-thirds of councils have cut their footpath maintenance budgets in the last three years, with 41% reducing budgets by over a fifth.

It named 11 councils where it is particularly worried about the decline in the state of paths, including Bolton and Bury in Greater Manchester. Neighbouring Lancashire was also listed in a case study as a major problem area, with cases of paths becoming blocked or overgrown doubling in the past two years, while funding and staff numbers have been cut.

Director of campaigns Nicky Philpott said: “These statistics show the disproportionate effect of councilit upon myself to find a Cardiologist and get a second opinion. That was a very good decision because Blondie is doing so much better. My Vet basically gave me no hope for her over a year ago. The Cardiologist said Blondie could live with this for several years and end up passing from something else.

Blondie had an Ultrasound last October. She actually has TWO leaky valves. The Cardiologist has her on Vetmedin, Enalapril, Spironolactone, and Norvasc. (The Norvasc was added this summer when her blood pressure went up).

Blondie did well on the meds, the coughing was a lot less, and she had more energy. She had lost a few pounds (she normally weighs 18 pounds). We got her back up to 18 pounds again.

Blondie saw the Cardiologist