Demand for action over muddy footpath

Jack Greenwood told members he had served a "Section 56" order on North Yorkshire county Council, the local highways authority, which legally requires it to bring up to standard and maintain the footpath across two fields near Beecroft Hall.

He has forwarded a copy to the Yorkshire Dales National Park Authority, which looks after the public rights of way in the area on behalf of the county council.

Mr Greenwood says the muddy path is within the confines of the village, but its current condition is unpleasant underfoot, ruling it difficult to use for people not wearing wellies, gaiters or walking boots.

"If the path was property graded and kept it would be an asset to the village," he told the Herald.

"It goes across two fields between the station and the second stile and is used by anybody walking on the Three Peaks. It is a wet surface that is degrading into mud."

Coun Wilf Fenten said: "By serving such an order Mr Greenwood is forcing the county council to maintain that route. Any member of the public can serve a Section 56 order, which is just writing a letter demanding that a route be repaired.

"I think we should congratulate Mr Greenwood and thank him. It is a very public spirited thing to do."

Members of Horton-in-Ribblesdale Parish Council echoed Coun Fenten's sentiments.

Section 56 of the 1980 Highways Act allows members of the public to force the authorities to repair a specific route.

The authority has a month to reply, either admitting or denying liability and promising or otherwise to do the work required.

If a promise is made and it has not been done after six months, the person serving the order can apply to the magistrates' court for further action.

A spokesman for the Yorkshire Dales National Park Authority said it had yet to receive the notification of the Section 56 from the county council, but when it did it would investigate and take appropriate action.