Ramblers Association - News

Residents urged to support new A404 crossing [29 October 2001]

BERKSHIRE RESIDENTS are being urged to support plans to divert a footpath to protect walkers from a ‘death-trap’ road crossing.

Users of Bisham footpath nine currently have to cross the busy A404 dual carriage to reach Woodland Trust-owned land on the other side. At least one person has already been seriously injured crossing the road.

East Berks Ramblers’ Association, with the support of the local police, offered to fund a minor diversion which would allow people to use a short tunnel to cross safely under the road. The public path diversion order for FP 9 at Bisham has now been published by the Royal Borough of Windsor and Maidenhead. However, there are two more hurdles that have to be overcome.

It is vitally important that the Royal Borough does not withdraw the order at the next meeting of its rights of way panel. This unusual step could be taken if the council receives many objections to the order. Judging by the critical letters which have appeared in the local press recently it looks as if efforts are being made by those opposed to the order to rally such opposition.

East Berkshire Group is looking for help in persuading the council to stand firm on its decision to promote this order. If you know this path, or have ever tried to use it, please write a short letter to the Borough Secretary by 16 November, congratulating the council on its decision to publish the order and urging it to let the matter proceed to public inquiry where it can be decided by an independent inspector. East Berkshire Group would welcome support at that public inquiry in due course. Please send a copy of your letter to Margaret Bowdery c/o the Ramblers London office.

The address of the Borough Secretary is Royal Borough of Windsor and Maidenhead, Town Hall, St. Ives Road, Maidenhead, Berkshire, SL6 1RF.

News update:
Despite the best efforts of the RA West Berkshire Group, and other amenity and conservation groups in the locality, the Royal Borough of Windsor and Maidenhead has abandoned the public path diversion order which would have secured a safe crossing through a tunnel under the road. However, the campaign continues.

Local footpath workers have met with their MP, Theresa May, to discuss the case, and representations have been made to Margaret Beckett, Secretary of State at the Department of the Environment, Food and Rural affairs, asking her to exercise her order-making powers to solve the problem. Letters have also been sent to the Department of Transport, Local Government and the Regions and to the Highways Agency.