The course of our stroll so far has taken us under and over busy roads and through heavily-populated areas, but we on the old railway line have experienced a rural, pleasantly wooded and largely rubbish-free environment.But, as this photograph- taken in July 1997- shows, the situation alters somewhat as we enter the section of line that runs behind Durham Road in Blacon. The woodland and flowers continue, but in addition, behind many houses are deposits of household waste, building materials, furniture, discarded prams and the remnants of stripped-down stolen bicycles. Indeed, a couple of bin bags appeared over one of the garden fences as we passed by.
There were the remains of several bonfires and hypodermic syringes were to be seen.
Problems may be experienced with maintaining this section of the line in good condition when it becomes, God willing, fully restored as a greenway for the use of Chester's commuters, leisure walkers and cyclists.
A great deal of money and effort will hopefully be invested in the route- prevarication has gone on for at least fifteen years (take a look, for example, at this remarkable Cheshire County Council report from August 1984- doubless a source of embarrasment to them now!)- and there now exists a high level of public expectation that this project should, just for once, deliver to the people of Chester and district a quality amenity of which they can be proud.
Running
the
new
greenway
as
a
Country
Park,
and
enlisting
volunteers
offering
a
range
of
skills
to
help
look
after
it
would
be
of
benefit
to
all.