Frustration over fenced off access
Closed path was never adopted
RESIDENTS on a new Hinckley housing estate have been left scratching their heads because a public access route remains blocked off despite all construction being completed.
The pathway leading onto Richmond Park from St Francis Close was built as part of conditions put on developers AR Cartwright as part of planning permission for the 28-home scheme.
County highways chiefs called for the footpath to provide a traffic-free route to the nearby primary school and park, which in turn offered good pedestrian access both to Morrisons supermarket and the Normandy Way McDonald’s.
However it remains fenced off even though all works have finished and the properties have been purchased.
Lib Dem county councillor Michael Mullaney has taken up the case after being contacted by frustrated residents.
He said: “The provision of this access was a key requirement insisted on by Leicestershire County Council during the planning process for the houses in St Francis Close.
“It was duly constructed as requested but now County Hall bosses are saying they will not adopt the footpath and so it remains fenced-off.
“This is complete madness – worthy of a plot line in Yes Minister.
“It is this sort of red tape that gives local government a bad name.
“The county council, borough council and developer need to get together and get this sorted and opened up quickly.
“It will help ease congestion in that area at school times and will make it safer for local children to access the park.”
A spokesman for Leicestershire County Council said the authority was not in a position to adopt the pathway but had nothing to do with restricting its access, adding it was the developer who had put up the barring fence.
The spokesman added: “We’ve not closed this access, it’s a decision taken by the developer. What the developer has provided doesn’t meet planning and design standards as there isn’t an alternative route for people unable to climb steps.
“We were not approached to agree design before the steps were built as we should have been and it appears there may have been a breach of their planning consent.
“The steps that have been put in will continue to be the responsibility of the developer but this does not mean they have to remain closed.
“Should new proposals for access that meet design and planning guidance be introduced we would be happy to adopt it and maintain it in the future.”
No one was available for comment from AR Cartwright.