Legal threat in row over Shrewsbury's Dana Footpath

More than 1,200 people have signed a petition calling for the creation of a new route to link up to the path. It would prevent people having to use steep steps that currently link Castle Gates and the Dana Footpath.

Councillor Andrew Bannerman, who represents Quarry and Coton Hill, pointed the finger at Shropshire Horticultural Society over the impasse, accusing them of not being willing to negotiate over a piece of land needed for the path. Shrewsbury Town Council has now said it could look at legal action to settle the dispute.

Mr Bannerman said: "It is disgraceful that, after numerous requests from the council and 25 years after the late Alan Howard, chairman of the civic society, showed how beneficial a flat path round the castle garden would be, the horticultural society still will not release the tiny portion of their land on the only viable route."

The horticultural society has insisted it is in the process of drawing up a planning application which will be submitted in the "near future". It has also said that given the sensitive nature of the site any development needs to be appropriate.

Society secretary, Simon Badrock, said: "Shropshire Horticultural Society is in the process of drawing up a planning application for a proposed footpath route which will be submitted in the near future.

"This is an important site with regard to the town's heritage and we are taking the time to ensure the planning application we submit is for an appropriate and suitably high quality scheme. It is hoped that this route will be acceptable to all parties".

A resolution passed by Shrewsbury Town Council and the town's local joint committee has said they will look at legal avenues for acquiring the land required for the path.

It stated: "We request that officers of the town and Shropshire councils take this matter up with Shropshire Horticultural Society once again and at the same time investigate "all legal means by which the land may be acquired so the path can be completed."

Alan Mosley, council leader of the council and representative for Castlefields and Ditherington ward, said: "The plans show a high quality, affordable, achievable proposal that would end a problem which residents have felt for many years. Despite a very small group being against the plans, there is overwhelming public opinion that something must be done and we must find a way of taking action on that."

The council has argued that the path is needed to provide people with mobility problems with easy access to the footpath.