A popular footpath through a Somerset beauty spot has been blocked by a fallen tree for more than a year, a local resident has claimed. Paul Partington, a member of the Open Spaces Society, has raised concerns over the fate of a footpath which runs out of the small hamlet of Bickenhall, just south-east of Taunton in the Blackdown Hills national landscape (formerly area of outstanding natural beauty, or AONB).
Mr Partington has criticised Somerset Council’s rights of way team for failing to deal with a number of issues hindering access to the path – including locked gates and a fallen oak tree which hasn’t been removed. The council said it would look into these issues and liaise with both Mr Partington and the parish council to find a solution.
The footpath in question runs from Bickenhall Mill Farm, not far from Neroche Hall, to a separate set of bridleways near Curry Mallet Drove, following the course of the Fivehead River (which runs under the A358 and joins the River Parrett south of Langport). Mr Partington raised his concerns when the full council met in Bridgwater on December 18, 2024, laying out several issues which had gone unaddressed – some for more than three years.
He told the full council: “Since September 2021 there have been issues with this footpath. A wide metal field gate at the entrance from the carriageway has been replaced with locked wooden gates, wooden fencing and combined with a metal pedestrian gate, reducing the width of the path.
“A sign stating ‘no dogs’ has been in place at Bickenhall Bridge since September 2021. A fallen oak tree, which fell in November 2023, remains in plane and is 100 per cent blocking the width of the path.”
(Image: Somerset Council)
Neroche Parish Council heard complaints regarding the footpath from local residents in January 2022, with parishioners complaining about the introduction of stiles (making it “impossible” for less able-bodied people to access the route) and the notice prohibiting dogs. Mr Partington said he had sent numerous emails to Somerset Council’s rights of way team since November 2024, but he had not received a single reply.
He said: “Does the council accept that, if obstructions to a public right of way that are not resolved using its statutory duties to protect a public right of way, it is then open for someone to use Section 130 of the Highways Act 1980 to have the obstruction removed?
“Does the council accept that it has the power to remove any misleading or unlawful signs on public rights of way that deter people from exercising their legal right – and if so what action is being taken to remove this ‘no dogs’ sign? How many man hours has been spent by your rights of way department trying to resolve these issues?”
(Image: Daniel Mumby)
Councillor Richard Wilkins, portfolio holder for transport and waste services, said the council’s rights of way team were looking into the issue and would respond to Mr Partington’s numerous concerns in due course.
He said: “We definitely do recognise the hard work that all our volunteers do across the county, including path clearing. You will be getting a full written response to your detailed questions, which is being prepared as we speak by our rights of way team.”
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