| Barlow House Farm Route (Lindow-Mobberley) News - October 2009 |
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A few cycle users have contacted CycleWilmslow with concerns about the future of the popular route between Moor Lane in Wilmslow (Lindow) and Paddock Hill by the Plough and Flail pub. This runs past Barlow House Farm.
Here is some background:
Back in 1946 Cheshire County Council (CCC) signed an agreement with the landowner of Barlow House Farm (Mr. Halman Snr.) to permit cycling, suggesting that it was considered to be a footpath. However the CCC 1953 "definitive" right of way map CCC showed it as a Road used as a Public Path (RUPP) on which cycling and horse riding was permitted as of right! After 30-odd he landowner raised concerns with CCC who sought to get the track reclassified as a public footpath. There were objections and an enquiry was held in 1994. The Planning Inspector came down on the side of CCC and the landowner and it officially became Footpath 50.
However the landowner continued to permit cyclists to use the path (but not horses) via a concessionary agreement.
Recently he sought to divert the path away from the farmyard, apparently in order to get more peace and quiet from evening visitors to the Plough and Flail pub etc. . Permission for the diversion order will be granted for the diversion on the proviso that the agreement deal to allow cycling is extended. The duration of the deal is, apparently, for 10 years although there may be opt-out clauses.
It should be noted that if the landowner (Mr Halman Jnr. of the eponymous estate agents) sells up, the "cycling agreement" will be null and void and we would have to hope that the next landowner signs up for a deal too.
Also the new path appears to have 2 cycle chicanes planned which seems to be overkill.
The fact that no signage indicates that cyclists can use the route - indeed other public right of way signs in that general area have been disappearing - has been raised with the Public Rights of Way Team at Cheshire East Council..
For further information please contact
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in the Cheshire East Councl Public Rights of Way department.
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| Last Updated ( Wednesday, 14 October 2009 ) |
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