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Typical Wiltshire Council action.
The Trowbridge end of Middle Lane has been blocked off.
I had no knowledge that this temporary closure was planned and have emailed the Corporate Directors at County Hall as follows.
I will let you know what the response is...
'Hi Carlton/Carolyn,
I seek your assistance.
I have received complaints that Middle Lane, Hilperton (a public bridleway HILP33) is blocked. On checking, the complainants are correct. It would seem that WC rights-of-way have decided to ‘improve’ it.
I seek answers to the following questions (BTW I emailed **** ******* about this yesterday but I expect he will be too busy to reply within the agreed timescale).
Firstly, as this closure clearly affects my division (and indirectly Cllr. Oldrieve’s too) why was I not advised that this closure was going to take place?
Secondly, why schedule the work for the school summer holiday period when this RoW is promoted as the ‘green’ way to get into Trowbridge from Hilperton and Semington? It is very well used by both pedestrians and cyclists.
Thirdly, the notice, as I recall, states that the work will take six weeks and it may be necessary to close the RoW at times. That being the case what is the need for Heras fencing which looks to be there for the duration of the work? More to the point, why is there absolutely NO WORK being carried out at the site and yet the public are being barred access?
The irony is that the RoW does not actually require any work on it whatsoever.
It was not requested by either local member nor by the parish council. The RoW is perfectly suitable for its use ‘as is’.
If it is deemed to be in need of upgrading why, oh why, schedule the work for the school summer holiday period?
The scheme is utter madness and the timing of it beyond comprehension. I would be very grateful if the work could be postponed or, even better, abandoned altogether.
Any work to this RoW will be seen by local residents as an ‘improvement’ to assist future housebuilding which, of course, is what WC is scheduling the land for in the draft DPD.'