Following confirmation by the Planning Inspectorate of an order to add this well used footpath to the definitive map the final legal appeal window has now closed. The public footpath exists in law and should be available for public use. Of course it is still blocked by locked gates and numerous intimidating signs.
Despite a strong and successful public claim for the right of way, a direction from the Secretary of State to Kirklees to determine the matter, an inquiry by written representations and a confirmed order the situation on the ground is unchanged.
The public are now in the unenviable position of being reliant on the council to open up the path to public use. As readers of PathWatch will know, this isn’t a good place to be. Basically there isn’t a piece of string long enough to measure this kind of timescale.
Nothing will happen on the ground unless a degree of public pressure is exerted on the council. To that end it would be useful if the public contacted the local ward councillors and asked for prompt action to open up the path. The three ward councillors are Rob Walker Lesley Warner and Donna Bellamy
Path Watch 
Agree with you – a nightmare situation.
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