OSWESTRY Town Council is being asked to put in £77,000 by Shropshire Council as part of match funding towards its cycling and walking plans.

Councillors in the town will be asked to discuss the request by the unitary authority to put money up for improving an existing footpath/cycleway in eastern Oswestry.

It would connect the existing Greenway route in Oswestry that connects residential areas to play areas and also Meadows Primary School.

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Oswestry town clerk Arren Roberts has prepared a report ahead of Wednesday’s meeting at the Guildhall (7pm) but told councillors the issue is ‘difficult’ as he believes the proposal lacks information.

His report said: “Members will be aware that Shropshire Council have been leading in developing the Local Cycling and Walking Infrastructure Programme and identifying sites for improvement and development.

“Members will also be aware from discussions on the Place Plan that the delivery of the list of projects is reliant on external funding.

“The UK Shared Prosperity Fund (UKSPF) has presented an opportunity to bid for funding through the Rural Fund (Community and Place).

“This is a capital-only fund which offers up to 70 per cent match funding.

“Shropshire Council has approached Oswestry Town Council to ascertain whether it would provide some match funding towards improving an existing footpath/cycleway in eastern Oswestry.

“Members may quite rightly ask – why improve an existing serviceable scheme rather than deliver higher priority improvements?

“Other schemes in the town require feasibility studies to support progress and the UKSPF fund is a capital only programme.”

In his report, Mr Roberts outlined the request from Shropshire Council, with lighting improvements, path widening, and installation of a parallel crossing, among other works, at a cost of £590,000.

The UKSPF would account for £413,00 of this, Shropshire Council £100,000 and the remainder with the town council, and he added that the project fits within the council’s priorities.

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However, he added that they may wish to consider other opportunities.

He concluded: “This is a difficult matter for members to consider and a number of matters to consider, especially as this is the first time the project has been presented.

“If members are minded to provide financial support, it is recommended that this is an “in principle” decision only at this stage due to the limited amount of information available.”