 | Footpaths Update |  |
| The new footpath and bridleway signs have finally been installed in Occold. They initially appeared all around the village but not in Occold – Sue Welch began to think that she had upset someone! John Hewitson has kindly agreed to be our new Footpaths Warden. Sue is gradually handing over to John as she tidies up loose ends. A ‘very loose end’ which has hung around for several years is Redhouse Lane and its continuation Thorndon Footpath 24. This Thorndon footpath was blocked several years ago by a large lagoon owned by Mr E. Starke. The county is tackling the landowner to ensure that a footpath is reinstated. A bridge over the ditch near Castle Hill Farm is being added during 2007-8 to bring the footpath out nearer to “The Wash”. On the Occold side, it was closed by a large gate and barbed wire erected by the previous owners of the labs. The county has it recorded as “An anomaly” whilst the injunction taken out by HLS in 2003 describes it as a Right Of Way. It was being walked regularly (including myself) until it was closed off. It is hoped that this will be adopted as a public footpath in the near future. It will undoubtedly need some kind of gate, to ensure that the path cannot be used for anti-social purposes or vehicular access, but this needs to be of more sympathetic construction. | It is hoped that by 2008 we will have a picturesque ‘Beaky’ to Black Horse route which might tempt even the most ardent ‘bar buttresses’ to use their god given feet. The bridleway from Bulls Hall Road to Benningham Green is currently closed because of an unsafe bridge. A diversion is in place. There have been problems with the path being obstructed on those parts of the Occold Circular Walk which run through Thorndon and Rishangles and adjoining footpaths into Thorndon. These are being taken up but if you find any further problems please let the warden know and complain to county. The person who deals with local public rights of way at Suffolk County Council is Debbie Adams, Debbie.Adams@et.suffolkcc.gov.uk, 0845 606 6067 Finally the perennial problem of doggie doos! The new larger dog waste bin has been put up in Bulls Hall Road. The smaller bin has been moved to Redlingfield Road, opposite Willow Tree Farm. Waste emptying is being arranged. If emptying or bin position proves to be unsatisfactory, please contact the clerk. If you allow your dog to foul on footpaths and driveways - please be sure to clear up afterwards – residents (particularly irate residents in Ash Tree Close) will be on your case if you don't!! Our children should be able to walk to school on clear paths! And with the new and larger bins on both the main dog walking routes there is NO EXCUSE! Andy Andrews - with the help of Sue, John, Dawn and OPC minutes |