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Safety fears over bridleway plan
HIGH PEAK councillors are opposing a proposed extension to a bridleway off the Sett Valley Trail in Hayfield on safety grounds.
Derbyshire County Council wants to add a new section of bridleway - measuring 300 metres in distance - which would run from Swallow House Lane to the existing Sett Valley Trail.
A public inquiry is to be held by the Planning Inspectorate later this year in New Mills, following objections to the proposal, and as part of this process High Peak Borough Council has been invited to submit its comments.
At a recent Development Control Committee, borough council leader Tony Ashton, speaking on behalf of himself and Cllr David Mellor, highlighted their concerns over the impact of the scheme on highway safety and congestion, especially as access to the route would be gained from Swallow House Lane, near to Hayfield Primary School.
Cllr Chris Pearson agreed: "When I have gone down Swallow House Lane at peak times in the day, it's a no-go area, and I feel if people start using this as a bridleway it will cause a dangerous situation with more cyclists and horses down there."
Added Cllr Stuart Young: "Swallow House Lane is a busy road. There are no footpaths along the sides, and I agree horse boxes would be left there and cause an obstruction.
"We would also get motorbikes and four-wheel drive vehicles using the route, and it would exacerbate a problem which already exists."
Committee members unanimously agreed to respond in writing to the public inquiry.
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Weather for Buxton
Thursday 09 February 2012
Today
Light snow
Temperature: -1 C to 1 C
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