VOLUNTEERS have been working hard to clear a water-logged pathway on the 'Stour Way' route.
Over the last couple of Saturdays, Lib Dem campaigner and runner David Sheppard has been joined by local runners Bob Hopkins and John Coyne to reopen a local pathway.
The much-loved route had been inaccessible to local walkers, runners, and dog walkers who previously used the path to connect Richmond Grove, Meadow Park Drive, The Kingsway, Richardson Drive, and the local canal network.
David was first contacted by a local resident who came aboard the Lib Dem floating surgery when his boat was moored last year near Bells Bridge, behind The Kingsway and the horse fields.
David said: “I’ve tried my best to get Dudley Council to do something about this blocked pathway, but, nothing has been done.
"I will be pressing Dudley Council to take proper action but in the meantime, we decided to act ourselves by chopping back tree branches and bushes blocking the path and cleared out the drainage ditch with spades and shovels, so the water now flows into the River Stour.
“This is not a permanent solution as it needs a proper investigation.
"We uncovered old drainage pipes, showing that those who developed the tarmacked pathways knew flooding was an issue, but it has not been maintained as it should have been by Dudley Council.”
He added: “We’re hoping the rain will ease in February and the land will start to dry out, making the route fully accessible for everyone again soon.”
The pathway is part of the 'Stour Way,' a proposed urban and countryside route along the course of the River Stour.
Dudley Council has been contacted for comment.
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