Removal of granite bollards

After 3 months CCC fnally confirmed 2 new bollards are to be placed at the top of the hill and a new one at the bottom, unfortunately, they have taken so long getting around to doing the work they have now run out of money - hopefully the problem will be sorted next financial year! hopefully

Hopefully the Council will not be placing bollards on a road - as this would be an expense to the ratepayer and an illegal obstruction on the road in question.

I would also like to point out that the road in question is not impassable to horse riders or pedestrians - the walkers seemed to be able to get along it fine when I met them on my motorcycle, nor were they upset by my presence.

I would like to hear from you as to which council or highways person you got to agree the placing of bollards on an unclassified county road.

It's a bridal way - and it is just about the width of a small car. The damage to the banks on both sides can be seen where vehicles have driven through. Imagine walking up the lane and coming face to face with a car - the driver would not be able to reverse back up the lane and the pedestrian would have no choice but to walk back down - no short distance, and if you've got a tired toddler, a baby in a buggy & bags of beach stuff you, quite rightly, wouldn't be too pleased.

I presume that since you have posted here approaching two years after the original post this is something that you still feel strongly about, since I am interested in discussing vehicular rights of way with anyone who wants to I am replying with my take on this. I hope it will be recieved as it was intended - in an attempt to talk reasonably about the lane and perceptions about it.

In order to be open and clear about this I will say that I am a trail rider (for more info please see www.cornwalltrf.org.uk)and this road forms part of my route for a run around the Liskeard/Looe area. Is there a particular interest you would like to declare?

Firstly, the lane is called Bridals Lane but I don't believe this to mean the same thing as Bridleway.

I would be interested to hear from local historians whether this has a basis from the marriage point of view or whether it refers to the name of the house/farm that lies on it.

The legal status of the lane cannot really be contested - it is a road.

The County lists it as u6148, the 'u' standing for unclassified county road.

The Ordinance survey shows it as an ORPA (other route with public access) hence the big green dots on the OS map - a bridleway appears as a series of green long dashes (footpath being short dashes).

Much as whoever put up the fake no entry sign and other cluter would like - the route is vehicular.

I note there is building of dwellings taking place along it as well as current dwellings which require vehicular access now - I would think that the people living along it would be concerned if they were to be prevented from accessing it by vehicle.

Since it is not a private drive - it is maintainable at public expense - there can not really be one rule for the resident and another for the passer-by.

The passage by motorcycle can hardly be blamed for any damage to the banks, nor would it cause problems to pedestrians (a point I made in my reply before). The road is no narrower than some of the narrow streets in some villages or some of the country lanes I drive along in my car to work. However if there is damage caused by vehicles over a certain width perhaps this is an issue which deserves some attention.I would be happy to discuss how you would consider dealing with this at any time. (hedleyad@aol.com)

I did ask in my previous post for details of the council or highways officer who you said confirmed they would be placing bollards on this road and I'm still interested to know this as I would like an opportunity to talk to them from my veiwpoint if they have already agreed to put (scarce) council resources into this.

When we moved to this area in 1981, the section of Bridals Lane that is very narrow, and has no properties adjacent, was basically a dry river bed with deep ruts and impassable by vehicle or someone with young children, the granite bollards were in place at both ends of this impassable section. It was subsequently resurfaced so that pedestrians could walk to and from Talland Bay, the bollards were there to prevent vehicles tying to drive down a very narrow track that is too narrow for the smallest of cars. The houses you mention are positioned above and below the narrow section and have always had vehicular access. I am a local person who uses the lane frequently and am aware of the damage caused to the banks by inconsiderate people trying to drive cars along an obviously unsuitable track. Also, as a mother, I am aware of the not inconsiderable problems caused when pedestrians meet a car along this stretch of the lane. No explanation has ever been given of who removed the original bollards or why, but if they were replaced it would not effect any of the householders along the lane, pedestrians would not be put at risk, the amazing flora and fauna would be safeguarded and you would still be able to go through on a bike. What's the problem?

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