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
