Old Gloucestershire path approval puts pressure on Herefordshire to 'avoid building half a bridge over River Leadon'
An old footpath near Ledbury will be reinstated in Gloucestershire but it could “lead to a bridge halfway across the River Leadon” if council counterparts in Herefordshire don’t approve their stretch of the route.
Gloucestershire County Council has agreed this week to add a length of public footpath near Dymock to their definitive map.
Herefordshire Ramblers applied for a restricted by-way from the main road in Leddington south of Swords Farm, to Upham House, and for an additional length of public footpath, running further east to the middle of the River Leadon which to the county boundary with Herefordshire.
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Gloucestershire council officer Andrew Houldey said it would continue east into Donnington parish but that is subject to a separate application for a footpath to Herefordshire Council. “They will determine their section of the route,” he told the commons and rights of way committee on October 8," he said.
He recommended that the restricted by-way be rejected but that a footpath be approved for the entire length with some variation on the route. He said the claimed route on the map was slightly different from the route shown on the Ordnance Survey Maps from 1904 onwards.
“What we are looking at is whether there is documentary or other evidence for rights. If we do decide to make an order it will be along the historic line rather than the claimed line.”
He told the committee there used to be a public footbridge which was maintained at public expense where the path historically crossed the River Leadon.
“We do have provision for a footpath in the drawbridge over the canal and the footbridge over the Leadon.”
Councillor Rober Vines (C, Badgeworth) said he agreed with the proposal for the footpath. But asked what would happen where the footpath would currently end in the river.
“There’s a footbridge that is no more,” he said. “It doesn't seem beyond the wit of man to get an agreement with Herefordshire Council who are intending to put their length of path on their side of the river and Gloucestershire the otherside.
Mr Houldey said it would not be practical to wade across the Leadon. “It’s not fordable there,” he said.
“We are reliant on Herefordshire doing their bit. You have clear evidence the bridge was publicly maintainable. That assists us and Herefordshire in determining the application.”
Mr Houldey said he would forward his report to Herefordshire. “They are two parts of the same path.
"The evidence I’ve uncovered will helpfully assist them.” The bridge was a joint responsibility between both councils, historic records confirm.
And Mr Houldey said it was "without question" and a rare example of authorities froting up and confirming the responsibility of maintaining the ridge.
Cllr Terry Hale (C, Drybrook and Lydbrook) asked what would happen if both counties voted differently on the proposals.
“We would have another cul-de-sac route that leads to the middle of the river,” Mr Houldey said.
Cllr Alex Hegenbarth (LD, Bishop's Cleeve) asked about whether the council would be speaking to colleagues in Herefordshire. “Hopefully there will be a joined up bridge we b rather than us thinkin oh we’ve done our bit.
“We’ve built half into the river and what are they going to do?"
Cllr Robert Vines (C, Badgeworth) proposed approving the whole route applied for in Gloucestershire as a footpath.
The committee voted unanimously in favour.