The oldest Road in Sowerby Bridge is a convenient way to avoid walking along Wharf Street and in doing this also avoid the fumes (which are reported by the Councils Environmental department to be dangerously high under the Environment Act 1995 Air Quality (England) Regulations 2000). Why therefore has the route along the Old Cawsey been compromised? The route (on foot only) runs almost the length of Wharf Street including the connecting bridge over the canal that takes you all the way to the Canal Basin. The route starts from Simprint through the Riverside complex past the Council Offices and The Turks Head and along behind the terrace which is now the back of the shops on Wharf Street This route is then supposed to veer left and come out on the canal towpath by Wharf St. Unfortunately this doesn’t happen as there appears to be a gigantic extension to the half derelict building formally know as the Jolly Sailor( The JS) on the canal bank. This extension happens to completely block this once very useful and ancient highway. Why has the original public right of way been allowed to be blocked (apparently there was no planning permission for this extension)?.
Instead we have to use an unofficial snicket to the left between gardens with steps. The steps are in a terrible state and are very dangerous. It is impossible to use a pushchair or wheelchair along this route now, it’s almost impossible to negotiate on foot, with one step completely missing and the others broken or wobbly and then there is the disgusting litter and unsightly metal safety fencing erected we presume because the wall around the new developments has made the route unsafe. Is it the councils responsibly for giving the developers a free reign? They even had a notice up recently enquiring whether the public would be bothered if the route was closed altogether; probably something to do with the developments along the Old Cawsey.
This public path is essential to Sowerby Bridge and a historical road, it should be maintained and respected, used and enjoyed. Those on foot have the right to an alternative to walking along Wharf Street where we are at risk of developing respiratory diseases.
1 comment:
I agree entirely with this. The public right of way has been "removed". The alternative path, of which is unkempt and dangerous must be maintained by these so called developers by law and they have just blatently built an extension with no planning permission, blocked the right of way and disappeared. I live here and I have a 5 year old daughter for whom it is dangerous for her to walk around this area now. Something should be done but we are obviously powerless and this developer Mr Brown obviously has the council in his pocket. Disgusting.
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