A FOOTPATH through an industrial estate has been re-instated following a victorious battle by residents.

After legal discussions between Wigan Council and landowners of Leigh's Moss Industrial estate the well-used path, which runs from St Helens Road to Pennington Country Park was reopened last week.

Lowton residents were livid when steel fencing was erected across the path in May and a notice erected at the site stated it had been permanently closed for health and safety reasons.

Angered by the unannounced closure, Lowton resident Robert Hesford started a petition after contacting Wigan Council and Leigh MP Andy Burnham and seeking help from the Peak and Northern Footpaths' Association.

They were able to supply him with copies of records taken from their footpath archives and these records were crucial to proving that the fenced off path was indeed a public right of way and should not be closed off.

Robert also heard from the council's public rights of way officer, Liz Parry, that she had found a document from 1973 stipulating that there is a public footpath through the estate and that the matter was under investigation.

The original footpath was closed by Lancashire County Council in the 1970s after a public inquiry but records showed that the inspector intended there to be another footpath.

This week Robert said: "This is great news. We would like to thank Mr Burnham, the Ramblers' Association and the Peak and Northern Footpaths' Association for all their help.

"Once residents know it will be well used again. We are now hoping that the council will put up signposts at the entrance to inform locals that it is open."

A spokesman for the Peak and Northern Footpaths' Association said they were willing to help anyone facing footpath problems and can be contactedby e-mail at mail@peakandnorthern.org.uk or telephone 0161 427 3582 or write to the head office at Taylor House, 23 Turncroft Lane, Offerton, Stockport SK1 4AB.