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Ramblers call for safety improvements to Suffolk footpath

Published: 17 February 2012

British walking group the Ramblers is asking for the creation of a public right of way area to fill the dangerous gap in a footpath network.

According to the group, Footpath No 14, which runs northwards from Chilton Street stops "crazily" and "in the middle of nowhere".

It has the potential to be joined up with Footpath No 1, 200 yards away, which runs between Hundon and Poslingford.

Instead, walkers on Footpath No 16 have to turn around and retrace their steps, as well as take a hazardous journey on the B1036.

At the moment, the road is the only means of walking from Chilton Street to Poslingford or Hundon, and local rambler Norman Jenning says it is "hellishly dangerous".

"There’s constant fast-moving traffic, no pavement and no verges, yet that’s where you have to walk. Footpath 14 runs parallel to the road and connecting the two paths is the obvious solution. The County Council has powers to create a footpath link but they’re reluctant to use them," he said.

The walking group hopes that the council will use its power to create rights of way where needed, as outlined in section 26 of the Highways Act 1980.