Page 6 - Herald December 2024

6 THE NEW COUNTESTHORPE HERALD
FOOTPATHS COULD BE
LOST FOREVER
Later this year I shall be standing down after a three year stint as the Publicity Secretary of Leicester Ramblers and as this will be my final update upon our activities I thought it would be particularly pertinent to reference a pressing matter that should concern not just those of us who are enthusiastic about walking but moreover anyone who an enjoyment and appreciation of the countryside at large.
OCTOBER 2024
In the Countryside and Rights of WayAct of 2000 a deadline of 2031 was set to register and enshrine any previously unadopted ancient Rights of Way. Alarming evidence has recently arisen as reported by the BBC of substantial backlogs in the processing of applications by the relevant County Council authorities, an estimated 8,000 requests some dating back to the 1980’s!! The very real concern here is that unless the government can be persuaded of the merits of extending or even cancelling the deadline altogether then some of these ancient highways and bylaws, including one’s dating back to medieval times of the drovers and salt routes et all , that these may be lost forever!
In an age where hungry developers are swallowing up countryside, once considered untouchable, whether for housing or the labyrinthine distribution warehouses now is the time to make a stand and call for urgent action to preserve these once treasured pathways for not just us but for future generations to enjoy.
To do this please write to your local MP and urge them to lobby in parliament for the preservation of our heritage https://www.bbc.com/news/ articles/c1k3719g0p4o
David Wheeler
Leicester and District Ramblers
VENETIANS I ROLLERS I VERTICALS I ROMAN SHUTTERS I AWNINGS I PERFECT FIT ROOF BLINDS