Footpath reclassification planned
A footpath route between Charlbury and Spelsbury is set to be reclassified under orders published by Oxfordshire County Council.
The proposal would see:
- The path from the end of Watery Lane, west to the parish boundary at Coldron Brook, upgraded from public footpath to restricted byway (horseriders and cyclists permitted)
- A new footpath created from there north-west to Dean Grove (south of Dean Pit)
- The track from there to Dean Pit upgraded to byway open to all traffic (horseriders, cyclists and motor vehicles permitted)
OCC say that these classifications have been chosen because "public rights were in existence along the route, and despite a lack of modern-day use these rights continue indefinitely (unless brought to an end by use of a statutory provision)".
However, it does lead to the curious situation that horse-riders and cyclists will be able to use almost all the route (waterloggedness of Watery Lane permitting!) apart from a short section in the middle, making the whole exercise arguably of limited use.
You can see the consultation documents here.
Richard Fairhurst · Fri 30 Mar 2012, 15:08 · Link