‘IN THE Footsteps of Hardy’, the weekend Echo’s excellent article on walking through the Hardy Heritage in Stinsford needs a sub-heading: ‘Only attempt this walk with high wellies, waders, and a degree of personal agility’.

The Bridleway between Lower Bockhampton and Stinsford should be a gem in the literary landscape heritage of Dorset. It is Hardy’s ‘embowered path’.

It is also a delightfully pretty walk … or should be. It is also the main walking route for local residents to Dorchester and Stinsford church.

Dorset Echo: The river walk in bygone days - described as Thomas Hardy's 'embowered path'The river walk in bygone days - described as Thomas Hardy's 'embowered path' (Image: Courtesy of Derek Pride)

The path is falling into a state of disrepair: the riverbank is repeatedly eroded, the path surface has been repeatedly washed away in numerous winter floods, the bridge at Stinsford now has its approach completely eroded and dumped into the river, further distorting the complex drainage in the area.

Stinsford Parish Council has repeatedly demanded that this lovely part Dorset, central to the Hardy Landscape Heritage, be urgently restored to its former state.

Dorset Council has postponed vital works for a number of years. Each year that passes means greater erosion and damage and thus greater repair costs.

Join with us in demanding that Dorset Council acts to preserve this vital part of Dorset’s past and present.

George Armstrong Chair

Stinsford Parish Council