BETTER access to the countryside is promised at Shropshire beauty spots.

In June, the Shropshire Hills National Landscapes team met up with members from Telford Sight Loss for an afternoon out along the Stiperstones all ability trail.

The 500 metre trail is part of the Stiperstones National Nature Reserve. A member of the Natural England team, who manage the reserve, was also on site to discuss some of the barriers to exploring in the Shropshire Hills and opportunities to work together to provide support and relevant information. The afternoon was topped off with tea and homemade cake in the Bog visitor centre.

The team will continue to engage with special interest and community groups and has been able to support access improvements in the Shropshire Hills this year, with Defra's Access for All funding.

Projects have included the provision of all-ability access in the Onny Meadows at the Shropshire Hills Discovery Centre in Craven Arms, at Nils Quarry in Pontesbury and at Glynn’s Garden CiC, which provides accessible horticultural activities in Church Stretton.

Further access improvements and interpretation are planned this autumn in the Darnford Valley near Bridges.