Residents win footpath battle

RESIDENTS are celebrating after an inspector ruled that footpaths across farm land in Culcheth should remain a public right of way.
Local resident Les Evans, who has been leading the campaign, said: “It has involved as lot of hard work and I would like to thank all those who turned out in support of keeping the footpaths.
“As we understand it the inspector’s decision is non-negotiable unless new evidence can be shown that the footpaths haven’t been a public right of way for a period of 20 years.
“We are absolutely delighted and it will add an amenity to the village providing an attractive walk through a wooded area and along a stream.
The two designated footpaths are on land behind a barn conversion on Withington Avenue.
Warrington Borough Council had previously successfully applied designated footpath status on the public footpaths – but landowners Peel Estates appealed against the decision, resulting in a public inquiry which took place at the Culcheth Sports Club.
The footpaths had been ploughed over by the tenant farmer but Warrington Borough Council, supported by local residents, successfully applied for them to become designated footpaths and a public right of way.