The SW main route is closed from Monday 24th May for up to 6 months at the moment from the north end of Drinkwater Street (SJ48681308) in Frankwell to Doctor’s Field (SJ48421315) and vice versa, while the riverside footpath is closed for embankment stabilisation works.
There is a suggested description of the alternative route. It adds some 250 metres to the route.
From the top of the steps at the north end of Drinkwater Street (SJ48681308), follow this street south for 80 metres to Hermitage Walk. Turn right and follow this path for 170 metres until it becomes the pavement of The Mount. Continue along this for a further 160 metres until a narrow footpath between brick walls goes right. Descend this footpath for 120 metres until it joins the riverside footpath at SJ48421315.
At SJ48421315, at a noticeboard, a footpath leaves the riverside route to the right, crosses Doctor’s Field and climbs up to meet The Mount after 120 metres. Turn left along the pavement for 160 metres until a tarmac path (Hermitage Walk) bears left. Follow this path for a further 170 metres until it meets Drinkwater Street. Turn left and follow this street for 80 metres until you reach the top of some steps. Turn right here (SJ48681308) onto the narrow footpath which is the SWMR.
TEMPORARY CLOSURE OF MONTGOMERY CANAL TOWPATH BETWEEN REDWITH BRIDGE AND CRICKHEATH WHARF
The canal towpath used by SW main route is closed until 31 October 2021 between Pryce’s Bridge and Crickheath Bridge and for canal restoration works. This will necessitate a diversion NW along the road from Redwith Bridge SJ 301 241 then a cross-field path SW to the B4396, followed by another field path in the grounds of Tankard Hall. A lane then leads back to Crickheath Bridge where the towpath continues to Llanymynech. (see diagram)
The Shropshire Way Association has made a change to the Shropshire Way due to constant poor ground conditions over some land.
The route change is between SO 57527 88108 and SO 57923 87771 around New Earnstrey Park in Abdon and Tugford Parish, Shropshire, so the new route will follow the County Road rather than cut across the fields. New route is shown in red on the map.
On P87 of the guidebook it should now read:
Turn left along the lane, passing New Earnstrey Park Farm before turning left at the next junction. Follow the stony, grass-islanded track to Earnstrey Hall.
Altitude chart pages 6 and 7
The first summit should be labelled Wilderley Hill. Stiperstones should point to the next summit at 530m and 18 miles.
Page 63 The guide says that the route turns after passing the Tea on the Way teashop. Unfortunately, this has now permanently closed therefore there will be nothing for a walker to use as a marker to make a left turn.