At yesterdays Heavy Woolen Planning Sub Committee members gave authority for an order to divert a short 17 metres of Batley 20. The effect of the order would turn the short section of path into an elongated marble run of ramps and steps totaling some 355 metres.
The order relates to a planning permission to construct a footbridge over the railway line so that the current manned level crossing can be closed. The matter received little scrutiny in terms of the length and inconvenience created by the proposals and was passed unanimously with councilors fully supporting the Network Rail proposals over the interests of the many people who regularly use this path.
Councillor Steve Hall was in good form and expressed his view on the proposal as “I don’t see any reason to spend to much time debating it”.
Kirklees will now make the order to divert Batley Footpath 20 which will be advertised and objections or comments can be made at that time. The council will forward the order to the Secretary of State should objections be made but will not argue for confirmation at any public inquiry. That will be Network rails job.
Path Watch 