Footpath: 'Obvious evidence'

SIR - Prospect Place. I write as one of the District Councillors for the Newport Ward to express my amazement at Devon County Councils decision to reject the obvious evidence that this roadway has been an accepted right of way for many years. My fellow C

SIR - Prospect Place. I write as one of the District Councillors for the Newport Ward to express my amazement at Devon County Councils decision to reject the obvious evidence that this roadway has been an accepted right of way for many years.

My fellow Councillor John Mathews attended the then Grammar school some 50 years ago and, with many other school companions, can attest to this right of way.

One has only to look at the Newport end of Prospect Place which clearly shows a county council sign saying "Prospect Place footpath to Park Lane" which would make a reasonable person accept the right of way has been accepted for many years by DCC.

I also have the Land Registry document of the latest property to be sold adjacent to the lane which clearly shows that the lane at the rear of the property which is Prospect Place is clearly marked on the plan in red pointing out that the lane is a right of way.

I spoke to the neighbourhood police unit who do not back up the claim of the high instance of vandalism which is alleged. In fact in my seven years as a councillor I have had only one serious incidence called to my attention which was probably caused by a Park School pupil.

While my fellow councillor and I welcome the removal of the blockage at Rock Park which has taken two years to sort out and for which we supplied a large amount of written evidence we wonder why six weeks after the blockage of Prospect Place a decision had to be made which gave us little or no time to collect similar evidence.

Councillor Michael Harrison

Burlington Close