Confusion for walkers over Siddington footpath (From Wilts and Gloucestershire Standard)

Confusion for walkers over Siddington footpath

8:00am Monday 15th October 2012 in News By Ian Craig

RAMBLERS enjoying the countryside between Siddington and South Cerney have come across a stumbling block after a footpath was closed to the public.

The pathway across fields between the two villages was on private land, but until recently had been subject to a permissive right of way, meaning the public were allowed to cross it.

However, ramblers were surprised recently to discover signs forbidding public access and barbed wire placed on the stiles.

Siddington resident Chris Rumble, who campaigns for better access to the countryside for disabled people, said landowner had recently applied for planning permission on the land and so had returned the public footpaths to their original positions.

"The paths have been closed by there’s nothing we can do about it – it’s all been done perfectly legally," he said.

"I can’t say I’m happy about it but they have done it with Gloucestershire County Council’s right of ways team.

"It’s annoyed a lot of people but no one has officially complained." GCC principal right of ways officer John Lane confirmed the path was no longer a public right of way.

“There were paths across this land which people had used for many years," he said. "The land has recently been sold to a private individual , who has fenced it off and, at the request of local residents, we are looking into this matter.

"This does not affect existing public rights of way in the area.”