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Published:
November 15, 2006
Exclusive:
Campaign to get Burnham path re-opened is successful
 A
long-running campaign by Burnham-On-Sea residents to have a controversial
former path re-opened has been successful.
The
path running behind the town's Catholic Church, between Highbridge
Road and Marine Drive, was blocked off by the church several years
ago due to the safety and security issues - much to the annoyance
of users. Ever since, walkers have had to clamber over railings
and through a metal fence to use the pathway.
A
campaign was launched by nearby residents to have the path re-opened
and the council council's Rights Of Way team were called in. This
week, delighted campaigners heard that the path will soon officially
re-open.
Lynda
Neal from Somerset County Council's Rights of Way Legal Team said:
"The application to add a footpath from Highbridge Road to
Marine Drive has raised much interest from members of the public
wishing to use the route, which was closed off by the Church because
of safety and security issues."
 "As
there is a large backlog of modification applications and it was
likely to be some years before this case came to the top of the
pile, Somerset County Council approached The Clifton Diocese to
request that they dedicate a public footpath over their land to
enable the public to use the route."
"Negotiations
have been successful and the Diocese has agreed to the dedication
of the footpath."
"The
County Council has also agreed to erect bollards along the length
of the footpath to clearly define the route and also to enable
anyone parking in the car park to enter onto the footpath."
Town
councillors this week welcomed the news. Cllr Arthur Thorogood
said: "It's great news for all those local people who have
campaigned long and hard for this. Anne Popham in particular must
be mentioned for all her work."
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