A NEW walk has been opened through a beautiful part of south Shropshire.

The Humphrey Kynaston Way, a 46-mile long distance trail that links the Jack Mytton Way bridleway at Church Stretton, via Nesscliffe to Grinshill, has been opened.

Robert Bland, the high sheriff of Shropshire cut the ribbon to open the new route. Mark Weston, the director of access of the British Horse Society, also took part in the opening on Sunday.

The route makes use of Natural England Paths for Communities funding, and close working between Shropshire Council, the Nesscliffe Hills and District Bridleway Association, and Parish Paths Partnership Group.

“This has been a lot of hard work and made possible by the kind dedication of new rights of way by the Field Studies Council, the Highways Agency, and three private landowners,” said Gwilym Butler, Shropshire Council’s cabinet member of leisure.

“The importance of this is that it means there is a safe crossing off the A5 for walkers, cyclists and horse riders alike. It’s especially good to see the work completed in time for the summer.”

A number of linking circular rides have also been established along the way.

The route will be signed with new black on white waymarks for the linear Humphrey Kynaston Way, and black on orange waymarks for the Humphrey Kynaston Circular routes and link routes.

A guide book will be printed, with leaflets for each route, with maps and instructions, and these will all be included on the www.shropshireriding.co.uk website as a download.