Shropshire inquiry hears why Rights of Way map should include path section

The 600-metre section of path at Bluebell Wood near Ellesmere had been recognised as a path on maps for more than 200 years, the hearing was told.

More than 50 people attended a public inquiry at Welshampton Parish Hall yesterday, which will decide whether the county's Rights of Way map should be modified to include the section of path between Blakemere and Whitemere.

The path, which runs north east of Spun Hill farm and joins a canal towpath at Burnswood Bridge, is part of the Oteley Estate owned by the Mainwaring family.

Several walkers who used the path for 20 years before access to walkways in the countryside was restricted by the foot and mouth outbreak in 2001 spoke at the hearing. Objections to the modification were lodged by the landowners, the Canal and Rivers Trust, the British Horse Society and the British Driving Society.

At the inquiry yesterday, Miranda Garrard for Shropshire Council said a map dating back to 1796 showed the route as a public carriageway while the 1833 Ordnance Survey map showed it as a hedged lane.

Alison Parker, from Ellesmere, told the inquiry she had been a member of the Oswestry Ramblers group for many years and said the route had been included in its Sunday walking programme at least once a year if not more often since she moved to the area in 1987.

"After foot and mouth I decided to include it again the programme but when we returned we found that our entry was blocked by a crude barrier and a sign saying 'Private, Keep Out'," Mrs Parker said.

Mr Tim Perkins for the landowners said they opposed the dedication of the route as a public right of way.

"It is sad that this had become a confrontational issue as the landowners would have been willing to provide some kind of permissive route."

A decision is expected within six weeks.