Issue - meetings

To consider a Creation Order for a public footpath on council owned land in Sandbach.

That approval be given to make a Creation Order under Section 26 of the Highways Act 1980, to create a Public Right of Way on Cheshire East Council owned land in the Town of Sandbach, as illustrated on Plan No. HA/113 attached to the report, to be put before the Public Rights of Way Committee for decision.

Consideration was given to a proposal to create a Public Right of Way on a 22m long stretch of Cheshire East Council owned land in the town of Sandbach.  Cheshire East Council was involved in a project to improve public access on a path between Clifton Road and Station Road, in accordance with the health and wellbeing objectives and priorities of the Council as stated in the Corporate Plan 2016-2020, and the Council’s commitment to ‘Residents First’.

It was reported that whilst appearing to be set out for, and used by, the public, the path did not have Public Right of Way status along its full length.  In order to rectify this anomaly, to provide clarity for the public and to enable investment to improve the path, it was proposed to add the route as a Public Footpath on the Definitive Map, the legal record of Public Rights of Way.

In addition it was reported that Network Rail owned part of the land and the footbridge over which the route runs; it has confirmed its agreement to the Creation Order process and was working in partnership with the Council to improve the aesthetic environment of the path and the adjoining land.

RESOLVED

That approval be given to make a Creation Order under Section 26 of the Highways Act 1980, to create a Public Right of Way on Cheshire East Council owned land in the Town of Sandbach, as illustrated on Plan No. HA/113 attached to the report, to be put before the Public Rights of Way Committee for decision.