Launton Footpath News for March

As reported elsewhere the last few paths closed because of the East West Rail works are now passable with changed routes. The path from Station Road to the new footbridge is completely new where no right of way existed previously. The entrance to this path is about 100 yards beyond the village boundary and beyond any pavement, so care should be taken when trying to use this path as there is no alternative but to walk in the road. The alternative access to the footbridge is via a path by the playground at the end of Yew Tree road. The new entrance is somewhat prone to flooding mainly because the ditches on the other side of Station Road are blocked.

North of the footbridge gaps have been made in the secondary fencing so it is not necessary to walk in the field to access the paths that stretch away from the railway to the north. There are posts with waymarkers to indicate where these paths run.

As yet we have not received formal notification that work is complete and that OCC are happy with them so it may be that EWR have some final details to finish off.

A tree that was partially blocking a path near the allotments roundabout has been cleared at our request. This was done a week after we requested it which is a good response time for this kind of job.

We will be attending a Footpath Warden training day shortly which will give us an opportunity to learn more about the many legal details surrounding public rights of way, landowner’s obligations, permissive paths and other mysteries concerning public access to the countryside.

Our main task in the coming month will be to walk the paths north of the footbridge which have seen little use over the last couple of years to check on bramble growth, signage and any other repairs which may be necessary. Anybody who would like to help with this is more than welcome to join us, just contact lesley.thompson@launton-pc.gov.uk