Closed
Style is missing, hedge needs trimming, waymarking needs to be restored on RX12
Reported in the Passage-Obstructed/Overgrown category anonymously at 15:18, Sat 25 May 2019
Sent to Northamptonshire Highways 2 minutes later. ref: 1639876.
I reported this about 3 weeks ago, your ref 1622434. I do not accept your response "RX12 no further action at present time. State changed to: not the council's responsibility" Of course a missing style is the council's responsibility to sort out. It was there once, but has been allowed to rot completely away. Replacing it is no different to replacing or repairing styles on other footpath, such as RX11, which you have instructed the landowner to sort out within 28 days. If it is not the council's responsibility to deal with this, then whose responsibility is it?
Reinstating this footpath, and waymarking it at the (still passable) junction with West End road, halves the amount of road walking on West End road, which is a narrow lane, when heading from the village to Hazleborough Woods.
Updates
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Thank you for reporting a fault on the highway. We will use the information you have provided to assess and prioritise this fault in accordance with our published response times for fault reports.
State changed to: Investigating
Posted by Northamptonshire Highways at 16:28, Sat 25 May 2019
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Further to your recent reports (refs. 1622434, 1639876) and our telephone conversation on 10th May 2019 concerning issues on Rights of Way in Silverstone, I would like to confirm the following points: Your original report (ref. 1622434) reported issues on Public Footpaths RX14, RX11 and RX12 in the Parish of Silverstone. The response to this report clarified that a letter was sent to a landowner requesting the replacement of two stiles on Public Footpath RX11. Since this letter was sent, I can confirm that this landowner has contacted Northamptonshire Highways stating that they will replace the stiles and Northamptonshire Highways have delivered the materials for two stile kits to the owner. A further letter has been sent to another landowner requesting the clearance of substantial vegetation obstructing Footpaths RX11 and RX14. Due to the bird nesting season it has been requested that the landowner carries out the clearance works required by the end of October 2019. Unfortunately at the current time no response has been received from this landowner stating that our request to clear the footpaths will be adhered to. A further inspection of RX11 and RX14 will be carried out at the end of October 2019. If these footpaths are still obstructed at this time further enforcement action may be taken. As the physical works required on the ground to ensure the routes are open and usable are the responsibility of a third party, your original report was marked as outside Northamptonshire County Council (NCC) responsibility. However, I believe the response you received clarified the role of Northamptonshire Highways in contacting the relevant landowners to request they carry out any relevant works. I understand any disappointment you may have with the decision not to carry out any works on Public Footpath RX12 at the current time, but works on the Rights of Way Network sometimes have to be prioritised due to financial and resource implications. Northamptonshire Highways are working to resolve the clearance issues on Public Footpaths RX11 and RX14. Hopefully this will open a dialogue with the landowner to also deal with the works required on RX12 but this may depend on the level of enforcement action required by ourselves as the Highway Authority. Your patience with this matter is appreciated.
State changed to: No further action
Posted by Northamptonshire Highways at 15:16, Tue 28 May 2019
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I am still not happy with your response, and for the state 'no further action' appended to your 28 May posting. You write that the landowner(s) for RX11 and RX14 are responsible for clearance and style replacement (the styles have been done, though they are not dog friendly), and yet you give as your excuse for not dealing with the blockage of RX12 by barbed wire where it passes through a hedge that "works on the Rights of Way Network sometimes have to be prioritised due to financial and resource implications". Isn't it the case that all you have to do is to instruct the landowner to install the legally-required style and clear a gap through the hedge? if they don't respond appropriately, you can do it yourselves and recover the costs via court action.
State changed to: Open
Posted anonymously at 21:50, Fri 2 August 2019
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Completed - full email response sent direct to customer in May 2019
State changed to: No further action
Posted by Northamptonshire Highways at 14:12, Fri 7 February 2020
This report is now closed to updates from the public. You can make a new report in the same location.