Car obstructing public footpath removed by councils

The footpath which starts near the Rising Sun public house was blocked first by a trailer and then replaced by a Renault Clio. 

 

Councillor David Whipp, Leader of Pendle Borough Council, said: “We have a great network of public rights of way in Pendle, and we take reports of rights of way being obstructed very seriously.

“People using the public footpath in Blacko are entitled to use the full width of the right of way, but this simply wasn’t possible with a parked car in the way.”

Working in partnership with Lancashire County Council, an enforcement notice was served on the owner of the land for the car to be removed.

When the car wasn’t removed in the time required, a recovery vehicle was instructed to remove it on Thursday 4 September.

The owner then fully cleared the footpath and it is now suitable for public use.

Tom Partridge, Pendle Borough Council’s Countryside Access Officer, said: “We have an excellent working relationship with our colleagues in the public rights of way team at Lancashire County Council, and with their help we can take action to get obstructions like this removed and recover our costs.

“In many cases of obstruction, the responsible person will take prompt action to follow our advice about what needs to be done.

“But when we don’t get the co-operation we need, we will use our powers to take direct action so that the public can enjoy the rights of way which they are entitled to use.”

Councillor Mohammad Hanif, Portfolio Holder for Health and Leisure Services, added: “Public rights of way are there for everyone to enjoy, and we are committed to keeping them accessible and safe.

“If you encounter a problem while using a public footpath in Pendle, please report it via the Council’s