Misleading Signs at Start of Ovington FP 1
Reported in the Footpaths/ Rights of way (usually not tarmac) category by Robert Whittaker at 20:14, Mon 14 July 2014
Sent to Norfolk County Council 1 minute later. FixMyStreet ref: 500711.
I believe that Ovington FP 1 should run along a track heading north from the C134 here. However, the route is partially obstructed by intimidating gates, on which have been hung several signs and notices to the effect that the route is a "Private Road" and not a public right of way.
This was enough to put me off trying to use the route. But I checked on the NCC online Rights of Way map when I got home, and this does appear to be where the route should go. From the number of signs present, I assume that there is some sort of dispute involving the land owners as to the status of the route.
Nevertheless, my understanding is that if the route is depicted on the Definitive Map and Statement as a Right of Way, then that is definitive proof of the route's status, until such time as an order is made to amend the Map and Statement. Therefore, even if the route is disputed, if it appears properly on the Map and Statement, it is a public right of way, and may be used as such.
If this is the case, then I believe that the misleading signs should be removed. In addition, the council has a duty to install official signage indicating the route of the right of way where it leaves the Public Highway.
Updates
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Reference number 475897 assigned by council: https://online.norfolk.gov.uk/ highways/ search.aspx?id=475897
Posted by Robert Whittaker at 09:30, Tue 12 August 2014
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Still open, via questionnaire, 22:59, Tue 12 August 2014
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At some point, the status on the online tracker has changed to "Considered. No action needed at present."
I don't know if the signs are still present on the gates, but I'm still waiting for the council to reply to enquiry I made for more information on 24th September this year.
Posted by Robert Whittaker at 18:12, Sat 6 December 2014
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Still open, via questionnaire, 16:30, Sat 8 October 2016
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There still remained an issue here in 2020 - see https://www.fixmystreet.com/ report/ 2291182 - and even in March 2024 Norfolk County Council staff are "not permitted" to walk this path on their own! It would be interesting to know if the original reporter ever did receive a response from Norfolk County Council and, if so, what they said to him.
Posted anonymously at 18:21, Thursday 21 March 2024
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The response I got from Norfolk County Council in December 2014 was as follows:
"There is a public right of way at on the definitive map at this location, however, this is not a simple issue to resolve, due to the 'sensitivities' of access across the establishment, which is based at the southern end of the right of way.
"These sensitivities include [redacted], as has been the case for many decades.
"So far our investigations have involved the owners producing some documentation from the police, which certainly gives indications that it is not in the best interests in terms of security for walkers using this gated access.
"At the moment the investigations are still on going and could take some time therefore highway signage has not been installed until resolved."
I don't know what the situation on the ground it like now, though the Public Footpath doesn't appear to have been diverted according to the council's GIS data and the Definitive Statement: https://osm.mathmos.net/ prow/ progress/ norfolk/ breckland/ ovington/
Posted by Robert Whittaker at 13:02, Friday 22 March 2024
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