I WOULD like to point out some inaccuracies in your story about the fence in Buncer Lane, Blackburn (LET, December 13).

A right of way already exists for this pathway under section 31 of the 1980 Highways Act 1980, under 'presumed dedication.' The Ramblers' Association have submitted an application for 'Definitive Status' which will put it on the Ordnance Survey maps and confirm its status.

It was not Town Hall bosses who angered residents, but the director of community and leisure who put up the fence, abusing delegated powers to comply with requests from the governors of Witton Park School.

This fence was erected in ignorance of the fact that planning permission was required and that the pathway was already a right of way and therefore could not be blocked anyway.

Coun Frank Connor and members of the planning committee have made the best of a bad job and brought sanity to what I believe to be the inept decisions of someone who is highly paid to know better.

I also believe that if this planning application had been submitted by a private person or body, it would have been refused out of hand.

JOHN CRAMSIE (Chairman, Witton Park Users' Group), St Mark's Road, Blackburn.

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