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Councillors urged to
think again over path
Parish councillors in Woodhall Spa could perform a complete U-turn over controversial plans to close a historic footpath in the village.
Councillors initially agreed to support proposals by Lincolnshire County Council to shut the path as part of a scheme to complete the Spa Trail between Woodhall and Horncastle.
The path would be replaced by a bridleway, which would run to the north of the current route and avoid cutting across the world famous Hotchkin golf course.
At the moment, cyclists and horse-riders are banned from the footpath but would be accommodated on the new bridleway.
Speaking at a meeting of the parish council last week, one resident said the closure of the path would be “a tragedy for the village.”
District councillor Philip Harness also told the meeting he was “staggered” the parish council had supported the closure.
He said: “It is ridiculous and I hope the parish council will now move to severely object to it.”
Pat Budge, a member of a local walking group, said she feared the closure would damage Woodhall’s reputation as one of Britain’s prettiest villages.
Residents are also concerned the new bridleway means anyone using the Spa Trail would have to negotiate Sandy Lane, which does not have a pavement and carries an ever increasing volume of traffic, including lorries.
Coun Harness also raised doubts about the final stages of route for the new bridleway into Woodhall Spa.
Parish council vice chairman Tim Peacock said they had agreed to support the closure in the belief it would complete the Spa Trail and attract more revenue.
He added: “We did unanimously agree to support the proposition but in some respects we were bamboozled.
“We are very aware of the furore that has been caused and the depth of feeling. We may have to admit we got it wrong.”
Coun Peacock said the parish council would ideally like to see the existing footpath retained and the new bridleway introduced.
He admitted the council had reservations about the increased distance people would have to walk, or ride, along Sandy Lane.
Councillors were due to finalise their decision at an extraordinary meeting on Monday. They planned to invite representatives of the golf club to that meeting.
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Weather for Horncastle
Monday 20 May 2013
Today
Cloudy
Temperature: 10 C to 19 C
Wind Speed: 16 mph
Wind direction: North
Tomorrow
Cloudy
Temperature: 7 C to 14 C
Wind Speed: 16 mph
Wind direction: North
