Lincoln Community Footpath Dispute Heads to Inquiry
A forthcoming public inquiry is set to resolve a longstanding dispute over a local community footpath, a popular shortcut between Middlebrook Estate and Doddington Road, Lincoln. Allocated for Tuesday, September 19 at The Showroom on Tritton Road, this inquiry will determine the fate of the contentious footpath, which connects Boswell Drive to Doddington Road.
Footpath Closure Sparks Tensions
The footpath, preferred for dog walks, children's school routes, and as a shortcut to Swallowbeck Avenue and The Forum in North Hykeham, has been closed for several years. Its closure, linked to housing developments in the area, has fuelled friction between the community and the local developer, Paul Hawes.
Residents v/s Developer
Local residents, who assert that the footpath has been a public right-of-way for decades, criticise the closure, opining that it forces them to use longer, narrower, and potentially dangerous alternatives along Boswell Close and Tritton Road.
"I’ve lived here myself over 45 years, this passage cuts at least 10 to 15 minutes off the direct walking routes to The Forum, the post office, the North Hykeham schools, the post office, the North Hykeham schools, the dentist on Doddington Road and the new Lidl,” commented Paul Heaney, a local resident.
Echoing the sentiment, Les Barnett, another resident, added, "It’s inconveniencing hundreds of people, some of whom have stopped being able to walk through to the bus. It’s a disgrace.”
Hawes, however, maintains that the area has always been a "permissive pathway", needing landowner agreement for public use. He further cites anti-social behaviour, harassment, and possible legal liability if someone injures on his property as reasons for keeping the footpath closed.
The Inquiry
Lincolnshire County Council has initiated the inquiry to evaluate its decision to acknowledge a public right-of-way over the land. The inquiry will assess various forms of evidence, including old maps, oral testimonies, and letters and deeds dating back to 1987. Lincolnshire Police will also be present at the inquiry due to recent reports of aggressive behaviour related to the dispute.