News a testament to footpath campaigners
Article printed in the Driffield Times 24/03/2004
driffield today archive source
Driffield Town Council received a letter from the East Riding council this week confirming that 'footpath number 999', as the route is officially known, would be included on a new modified map recognising hundreds of miles of forgotten routes across the county.
Deputy mayor, Coun Joan Cooper welcomed the local authority's decision at a meeting of the council's General Purposes Committee on Tuesday.
She said: "Christine Clubley's work has finally paid off and this decision is a fitting tribute to her memory. It is just a pity she is not here to see it."
Mrs Clubley worked tirelessly to show that the Registry of Deeds had proved the route, alongside the Driffield canal, is an old cart track which the public had every right to use.
She also argued that the public had been using the track for more than 60 years and urged the highway authority of the East Riding of Yorkshire Council, to update the definitive map by making a modification order, and make it clear that the path was a public right of way.
Since Mrs Clubley's death in February 2003, campaigners from the Driffield Town Council, the Driffield Navigation Amenities Association (DNAA), ramblers and residents have taken up the baton - sending scores of letters to the ERYC as evidence that the path has been public since before World War Two.
The local authority has agreed that the 'definitive map' should now be modified as a matter of priority.
The letter from Stuart Mumby, assistant engineer for the ERYCs highways department, which was discussed at Tuesday night's meeting, reads: "The council has received representations from the public drawing attention to what they consider to be a valuable historic and educational feature, and it has been suggested that the public should have access to view the lock.
"Having considered all of the available evidence, the council is satisfied that the public footpath subsists or is reasonably alleged to subsist. It is the view of the council, therefore, that it is requisite that a definitive map modification order be made to add the footpath to the Definitive Map."
Driffield and Rural ward councillor Jonathan Owen, said: "We, as local ward councillors are totally supportive of this decision. All the evidence is there and it is tremendous tribute to Christine that the path will be reinstated."
The town council now have to consult the Driffield Navigation Amenities Association, (DNAA) who look after the Driffield canal, which flows alongside the footpath at Riverhead.
Paul Rounding, spokesman for the DNAA, said the local authority's decision was testament to Mrs Clubley as well as former town councillors, Jim Kirkwood and the late Oliver Sedman, who had spent years fighting for the path to be recognised.
He said: "This is great news. It was always going to happen because we had that much proof that it was a public footpath. I am just glad it has come so soon. It is great news for the people of Driffield."
The decision is set be rubber stamped by the full town council and East Riding of Yorkshire Council before the new map is put on show at County Hall, Beverley.
A copy will also be available on the internet.
24 March 2004