Developer will reopen footpath (From Witney Gazette)

Developer will reopen footpath

9:00am Wednesday 11th October 2006 in Witney By Phil Vinter

CHIPPING Norton residents are declaring a victory for people power after they managed to persuade a housing developer to reconsider its decision to close a footpath.

More than 120 people in the town signed a petition against Persimmon Homes' decision to temporarily close a path which skirts around the outside of a new housing development.

Parents and others who signed the petition said the footpath by Cooper Close, Chipping Norton, provided a safe route for children to get to school - avoiding busy town centre roads.

The housing developer initially said the path had to be closed temporarily while the landscaping of new gardens was completed, and would be opened again in three-months time.

However, on Tuesday last week, two directors from the company met local resident John Osmond, who started the petition, and after the meeting agreed to reopen the path on Monday next week, after utility work had been completed. Persimmon Homes was not legally obliged to keep the path open, because it was not a public right of way, and Mr Osmond said he was delighted that it had taken the step.

He said: "I have to take my hat off to Persimmon. The representatives from the company walked down to the junction of Albion Street and London Street with me, and saw for themselves how difficult it was to cross the road there.

"We are delighted with the result. This is the first time I have done a protest of any kind in my life. It would not have been an issue if the detour had been OK, but people were so worried about the alternative crossing they had to take."

John Osmond

"There is no pedestrian crossing on that road, and I don't like doing it at 49. If you have to do it with a pushchair, it is not very pleasant at all.

"The penny had dropped with them that the health and safety issues went far beyond their site walls. A few hours later, I got a phone call from Persimmon saying they would open the path on October 16.

"We are delighted with the result. This is the first time I have done a protest of any kind in my life. It would not have been an issue if the detour had been OK, but people were so worried about the alternative crossing they had to take.

"We are very grateful to the company for taking this action. It is their land, and it is not a legally recognised right of way. They are going to have to put money and effort into keeping it open."

Martin Howard, construction director for Persimmon Homes South Midlands, said: "We have carried out an extensive risk assessment, and after much consideration, we can confirm that the temporary access footpath will open on Monday, October 16. The footpath will close for eight days, whilst crucial site preparation work is carried ou. However, after that time, the temporary footpath will open, which will benefit local schoolchildren, who have come to rely on using the pathway.

"We take all health and safety issues extremely seriously. However, we would like to stress that as there will be no permanent lighting in place, and a temporary stone surface will be installed. Pedestrians should proceed with caution. We remain committed in opening a permanent footpath as soon as practically possible."