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Published:
February 23, 2008
Controversial
Burnham footpath re-opened after long-running dispute
A
long-running dispute over a Burnham-On-Sea footpath has finally
been resolved after years of negotiations.
A
new, modern path was opened this week between Marine Drive and
the Catholic Church's car park following agreement between Somerset
County Council and the Clifton Diocese over the right of way.
Burnham-On-Sea
councillor Arthur Thorogood, who has been involved in the discussions
to reach a resolution, says the path's opening is great news.
 "I'm
delighted that local residents now have a proper path after years
of discussions," he told Burnham-On-Sea.com on Saturday (February
23rd).
"Clifton
Diocese, which oversees the church, blocked the route several
years ago amid concern over safety and security issues. It did
not recognise the land as a public right of way."
"However,
we got hold of a Land Registry map dating back to the 1800s which
clearly showed the path marked up as a route to the former railway
line."
We
reported
in November 2006 how Somerset County Council had approached
Clifton Diocese to request that they dedicate a public footpath
over their land to enable the public to use the route.
Negotiations
were successful and the Diocese agreed to the dedication of the
footpath. The final piece in the jigsaw came this week when Somerset
County Council's Highways team introduced the new path, which
runs between Marine Drive and Highbridge Road.
Councillor
Arthur Thorogood is delighted with the new footpath, which was
previously an informal, overgrown cut-through from Marine Drive
to the church car park
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