Plans to fill ‘gaps’ in East Lancashire trail (From Lancashire Telegraph)

Plans to fill ‘gaps’ in East Lancashire trail

9:26am Thursday 20th September 2012 in News By Bill Jacobs, Local government reporter

PICTURESQUE Nutshaw Hill, near Clowbridge, Burnley, where the new right of way would reach after passing across East Lancashire

PROPOSALS to complete a joined-up public right of way for ramblers and horseriders between Bolton and Burnley through Blackburn, Darwen and Hyndburn are set to be given the green light.

Senior councillors are being urged to approve a scheme to fill in the final gap in the route between Darwen and Belthorn.

Members of the borough planning and highways committee have been recommended to approve a change in the public right of way map to give walkers and horse riders a legal pathway between Victoria Buildings to Belthorn via Hole House.

The move comes after negotiations with landowners to conclude voluntary legal agreements to bring in the change the change failed.

In particular the councillors are told before tonight’s meeting that: “The only obstruction to the route is at Hole House, the only property the route passes.’’

But research by officials has led the committee to be told there is adequate legal evidence of existing rights of way and public usage for them to authorise the map alteration themselves.

The councillors are told by officers that work to create the West Pennine Feeder Route to connect to the Pennine Bridleway National Trail has been continuing for some years.

This public right of way would run from Smithhills Bolton to Clowbridge Burnley crossing Blackburn with Darwen borough from Roddlesworth to Belthorn.

When competed it will provide “an easy to use, stile-free route for low mobility walkers as well as cyclists and horse riders linking into the local network and long-distance routes provided by the Mary Townley Loop and the National Trail.”

Committee chairman Jim Smith said: “I think most people would be pleased to see this public right of way completed provided all the legal issues are in order.”