Walkers, landowners and residents are being urged by Powys County Council to report problems they encounter on its rights of way network.

The council’s Countryside Services team want to hear of any problems people find on the network so work can take place. The call for reports comes as the county enters autumn and winter, one of the busiest periods of the year for the team.

The team has recently rolled out Quick Response (QR) codes on over 1,260 structures which allows anyone to report a problem with a particular structure. Once reported, it helps the team to find the structure quickly.

Cllr John Powell, Cabinet Member for Countryside Services, said: “Storms and other extreme weather can cause problems on the county’s path network at this time of year, with floods and high winds damaging footbridges and bringing down trees that block paths.

“Last winter, parts of the county experienced storms that caused the loss and damage of footbridges in flooding and several areas of forest suffered from windblown trees coming down in strong winds.

“We often rely on reports from the public to alert us to problems. Most are found first by people out walking or riding or by landowners and other local residents finding problems.”

A timely report from a member of the public could save a rights of way structure. This year, a bridge near Lake Vyrnwy became dislodged and pushed downstream by high water levels and uprooted trees but it was repaired before it could be damaged further or lost in another flood.

“When repairing or replacing damaged footbridges, our Countryside Services team will try and reduce the possibility of future problems such as sitting bridges high above expected flood levels,” said Cllr Powell.

“It is almost impossible to remove all hazards. In floods, bridges are often damaged or lost when debris, including large trees, are swept into or accumulate against them.

“When possible, debris build-up is cleared from under bridges before it becomes damaging. In woodland, bridges can also be damaged by trees falling onto them in high winds.

“This summer several bridges have been repaired and maintained following damage suffered over the previous winter.”

To report any problems on the rights of way network then telephone 01597 827500 or email [email protected]