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Avebury & the Marlborough Downs

Avebury footpath partly destroyed lock

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tjj T
tjj Aug 27, 2011 22:12:31
Replying to tjj

tjj wrote:
head-first wrote:
A public bridleway connecting the village of West Kennet to the Wansdyke has been partly destroyed. The section at reference SU 09 66 has had its demarcation fence removed and has been ploughed into a neighbouring field by the farmer. For about half a mile the path is inaccessible to horses, and forces walkers to tramp through crops or poughed soil.

Does anyone know who to contact about this? I'm guessing there's a land registry in Devizes?

Try this link - it should also take you to the Mid Wilts Ramblers website. The Ramblers have Rights of Way officers which work in partnership with local or county councils. If the path you mention is a public right of way the farmer will be legally obliged to re-instate it.

http://www.wiltshire.gov.uk/communityandliving/rightsofway.htm

PS: I meant to add that an 'official order' is required to close or divert an existing Right of Way. I will take this up with the ROW officer for the North Wilts Ramblers (as am a member) and ask him to follow it up. Rights of Ways often go through crop fields and it is easy to see how they can disappear. Much of the the 'behind the scenes' work of the Ramblers Association is to protect them as they are often ancient and historic.

H head-first
head-first Aug 28, 2011 11:35:37
Replying to tjj

That's really helpful - thanks for the link, and for your offer to look into the matter. I've contacted Wiltshire Country Council at Devizes and described the problem, so hopefully they'll investigate. It's so important to keep these paths open and clear.

Thanks again.

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