"Very boggy" sections of the Biddulph Valley Way are to undergo improvements after an agreement was made to designate more parts of the popular walking route as a public footpath.

Staffordshire County Council aimed to undertake the improvement works, but had previously been unable to do so, as certain areas of the route were not designated as public rights of way.

However, in a delegated Cabinet decision, Staffordshire Moorlands District Council have now made it possible for this work to take place, after signing off on a public footpath creation agreement for the Biddulph Valley Way.

In a report, the council's Executive Director for Place, Neil Rodgers, said: "The Biddulph Valley Way is an established walking, cycling (and in many places, horse riding) route that follows the path of the former Biddulph Valley Railway Line that linked Stoke on Trent to Congleton.

"The route of the Biddulph Valley Way crosses several different landownerships. The section between Lees Road and Bull Lane is owned by Staffordshire Moorlands District Council.

"Staffordshire County Council want to make physical improvements to the footpath on the Staffordshire Moorlands District Council owned section of the Biddulph Valley Way. These sections of the Biddulph Valley Way are currently very boggy.

"Staffordshire County Council wish to make improvements to the footpath surface to improve accessibility and usability.

"However, the Staffordshire Moorlands District Council section of the Biddulph Valley Way is not dedicated as a public right of way and bridleway. Staffordshire County Council has requested that the position be regularised, prior to any improvement works being completed."

The council approved the public footpath creation agreement to allow the work to begin.