Posted on Thursday 12th September 2024
Cannock Chase, pictured, is one of the high-profile countryside sites receiving £18 million of investment in coming years.
Planning work has begun to invest millions of pounds in Staffordshire’s country parks and flagship walking route.
Staffordshire County Council has earmarked £18 million in coming years to upgrade the country parks at Cannock Chase and Chasewater, as well as the Staffordshire Way, which runs 92 miles between Mow Cop and Kinver.
The investment is part of the Council’s commitment to maintaining and improving the quality of life for Staffordshire residents.
Victoria Wilson, Staffordshire County Council’s Cabinet member for Communities and Culture, said:
Cannock Chase, Chasewater and the Staffordshire Way are jewels in the crown of our county’s natural beauty.
Given their increased popularity since the pandemic, both country parks will benefit from being better able to handle visitors – and it will be done in such a way as to protect plants and wildlife and conserve the very things that make these places so attractive.”
She added:
As for the Staffordshire Way, having walked it myself I know that it is an under-appreciated asset which physically links our diverse county.
Not only can we promote its beauty, but it has the potential to support local businesses and communities to promote tourism across a wide area.”
Now consultants are being appointed to consider how Chasewater can become a regional visitor destination and to look at creating a top class National Landscape discovery centre at Cannock Chase.
Consultants will also look at the Staffordshire Way and its 12 associated circular walks to assess repairs and ways to make it more accessible, while developing new walking guides and a website.
Long term plans include:
- Redeveloping visitor facilities at Marquis Drive to reflect the Chase’s status as a National Landscape and internationally important habitat for plants and wildlife, while keeping facilities away from the sensitive Special Area of Conservation (SAC).
- Upgrading the Innovation Centre and south shore area of Chasewater Country Park to improve the facilities for the local community and visitors from further afield, with a focus on healthy activity within a beautiful, natural environment.
- Relaunching, improving and promoting the Staffordshire Way. As well as promoting physical activity and enjoyment of the countryside, the scheme has the potential to support local businesses and communities to promote tourism.
Victoria Wilson said:
Each of these projects will be carefully developed over several years, with consideration given to making them more inclusive and accessible for visitors, while conserving the natural environment.”
*Victoria Wilson can seen talking about the investment at: https://youtu.be/PIAQuRkXX4U