Wednesday, 11 February 2009
The Planning Inspectorate has today announced its decision on the future of footpaths over the railway in Grange at Clare House and Berner’s Lanes. The decision to add these two routes to the definitive footpath map, made in draft by the County Council last year, has been confirmed after a Public Inquiry to hear an objection from Network Rail. A further objection by South Lakeland District Council had earlier been withdrawn.
Grange Civic Society welcomes this decision which recognises the importance of the two bridges, which were closed and then removed in 2006 because of their unsafe condition, for providing access from the town to the Promenade for both residents and visitors. The Society looks forward to their early re-instatement.
Network Rail’s objection related to the potential for footpaths being established on the level over the railway should re-instatement of the bridges not come about and a complex legal argument deriving from an agreement between the former Grange Urban District Council and the British Railways Board. The County Council accepted the first concern and that the order should define the crossing of the railway as “via a bridge”, and this is now confirmed in the definitive order. The second point was not accepted by the Inspector who presided at the Inquiry.
For further information please contact –
Anne Peat Secretary 015395 32244
Margaret Robinson Committee Member 015395 34842