Fence on footpath denies access in Dorset village

West Moors residents are shocked that one of the footpaths in the village has been fenced off by the owner of 24 Ashurst Road, near to the Guide Hall.  

The path is a link between Arnold Close and Ashurst Road and has been well-used by the public for as long as anyone can remember.  It is also known as a ‘safe route to schools.’  Schoolchildren regularly walk along the footpath to reach St Mary’s School and the pre-school in The Avenue.  The Brownies and Guides use it to reach the Guide Hall.  It is used on a daily basis by dog walkers, the elderly and general public to access the shops in the village without having to go along the main road.

Mary Barnes has used the footpath since the early 1960s.  Now in her seventies, she is very saddened by the fact that she is being forced to cycle along the main road to reach the forest.  Another resident from The Avenue, who wishes to remain anonymous said, “I have used the footpath for thirty-one years.  It saves walking on the main road to the shops and I also use it to go to the dentist.”

Judi Weeden, the Clerk to West Moors Parish Council said, “We are quite dismayed.  We want it re-opened and will soon have a supply of Rights of Way Evidence Forms that residents can fill in to help get the path reinstated.”

The forms should be available tomorrow from the Parish Office in Station Road, West Moors (next door to the library) and Judi said, “Anyone who has used the footpath for over twenty years should fill out a form and return it to me.”  The Parish Council will submit the forms to Dorset County Council who should be able to reinstate the path as a public right of way.

Cllr Alex Clarke added, "It was quite a shock to see it closed.  Children use the path as a route to school.  It is very important for the community.  What would be nice is if the owner could see how important it is for the village and open it for use in time for the new school term."

Dorset County Council Rights of Way officer, Jane Cheeseman said, “The procedure for adding a path to the definitive map can be lengthy and it is best coming from a group.”  She encouraged residents to contact the parish council in this respect.  The West Moors Parish Council phone number is 01202 861044.

The owner of the footpath was unavailable for comment.