Agenda item

9.1

The Director of Culture and Environment submitted a report seeking authority to process a Public Path Closure Order required to close definitive public footpath SHE\460 between Hackthorn Road and Cherry Bank Road, Norton.  The report stated that the footpath has a recorded length of 25 yards and commences at Hackthorn Road, heading north between numbers 85 and 87 until it met the unadopted part of Cherry Bank Road.  At a visit to site though, no physical or historical evidence showed the route of the path and it has been concluded that it was probably informally extinguished some years ago.

9.2

In assessing the closure, given that there was no evidence of the path at the location, the proposed closure should not adversely affect the public’s enjoyment of the area or have a detrimental effect on the surrounding highway network and its users.

9.3

In response to comments made by Members of the Committee over the proposed closure, the Director of Culture and Environment advised that although the Land Registry showed the route of the path, there was no physical evidence that it was ever constructed on site, although it may have been planned due to additional houses being constructed at the location.  The area where the path should be was described as steep and dangerous and would need steps to be constructed to use it safely.  It was also noted from a Member’s comments that there was a safer alternative route that could be used without providing too much inconvenience to pedestrians travelling between the two roads.

9.4

RESOLVED: That (a) no objections be raised to the proposed closure of definitive public footpath SHE/460, as detailed in the report now submitted and shownon the plan now exhibited, subject to satisfactory arrangements being made with the Statutory Undertakers in connection with any of their mains and services that may be affected; and

(b)               authority be given to the Director of Legal & Governance to:

(i)            take all necessary action to close the footpath under the powers contained within Section 118 of the Highways Act 1980; and

(ii)          confirm the Order as an Unopposed Order, in the event of no objections being received, or any objections received being resolved.