Since their inception, the Friends of Glen Goyle have been very keen to make this lovely corner of Sidmouth as accessible as possible to all. Indeed, we would all like to be able to walk through the Glen without worrying about tripping over or obstacles such as steep gradients or steps.
A history of paths:
There have been paths down and through Glen Goyle for many decades now.
There’s a fine picture (also at the top of the FOGG homepage) showing the path curving past a display of municipal flowerbeds:
The path through the Glen – from the 1960s – Friends of Glen Goyle
Another path has now disappeared, but shows up on maps from a century or so ago, going from the side gate (now locked) on Glen Road along the top of the lawn:
Maps through time – Friends of Glen Goyle
Earlier in the year, the FOGG working party consulted with EDDC’s Streetscene to advance the reinstatement of this path – as well as the removal of trip hazards:
Infrastructure along the Glen – Friends of Glen Goyle
Reinstating the Glen Road path:
The councils have now looked at the issue.
Last week, the District Council’s cabinet met to consider funding bids for the next financial year – and one was put forward for inclusion but was not supported at this time:
Glen Goyle footpath for £30k for 2025/26. This was deferred with a request made for officers to explore discussion with local stakeholders on funding.
Printed minutes 27th-Nov-2024 18.00 Cabinet.pdf
This week, the Town Council also considered this funding bid:
Cllr Walker reported that at the EDDC Cabinet meeting, held on the 27 November, the Glen Goyle footpath had not been allocated the proposed £30,000 and this had been deferred to explore the possibility of working with local stakeholders. He asked why this discussion had not taken place prior to the Cabinet meeting. District Councillor Barlow replied that when it became apparent at the meeting that the Glen Goyle proposal would not meet the criteria for funding and would be rejected outright, he had suggested the involvement of local groups in the hope that the work could be able to be carried out with volunteers and local funding.
Whilst the district council has ‘deferred’ the funding decision, FOGG is keen to look at match funding with other possible local sources – and will be conferring with other ‘stakeholders’ to take this project forward.
Making the current path safe:
In the meantime, there is the current path which is in a bad state of repair – and poses several trip hazards.
The council has done a good job when it comes to holes:
Filling in potholes along the Glen – Friends of Glen Goyle
However there are hazardous exposed roots areas which members of the FOGG working party have alerted the council to over the last two years. Following discussions, it has been agreed that it would not be an expensive task to make this section safe – and FOGG will be pursuing this as a more immediate action to take:
Bradfords MOT Type 1 Sub Base – Bulk Bag
Fundamentally, it is about making access easy and safe.
Photo taken by John McGregor, December 2023
Infrastructure along the Glen – Friends of Glen Goyle
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