FOOTPATHS

Diversions, etc.

We are expecting the diversion order for the Oxfordshire Golf Course to be made soon; this should sort out the mess left when the golf course was built. The diversions round Lobb Farm have been confirmed, so that the paths actually connect and no longer pass through buildings. The bridleway claim on Pilgrims’ Way at Blewbury has been confirmed. The County Council is considering 32 claims to upgrade restricted byways to byways open to all traffic (which would allow use by motor vehicles); all were made after the deadline imposed by the 2005 Act. A new proposal has been made for the path at the back of Signal Court at Eynsham; this would route the path through the flood plain of the Chill Brook, and I have insisted on mitigation measures.

The latest plans for the East-West Railway are out; these propose a cycle bridge at Jarvis Lane and rerouting of the Launton paths to a common footbridge nearest to Launton with a connecting path to the Marsh Gibbon paths. The dead ends would be closed, and it is also proposed to close the cross-field section of FP20; this would result in walkers having to follow the two sides of the field edge.

Other Matters

The regulations for the new Definitive Map legislation are not now expected until after April 2018 (I am not holding my breath). I have a number of potential claims, plus a few cases where the Definitive Map is patently wrong and I still have the 1987-9 M40 side roads orders to prove it.

The second consultation for the Oxford flood alleviation scheme has ended. I have asked for the proposed bridleway to be put back into the scheme.

The summer growing season is upon us again and I have had to deal with the usual hazards. Having cleared the growth from the stiles on the recce, I found myself having to do further clearance on the walk two or three weeks later – it gives a new meaning to the term "growth industry".

David Godfrey