RESIDENTS of Winterhay Lane North in Ilminster are continuing to challenge walkers along the path known as Bumpy Lane as access rights remain unclear.

A spokesman for the group who would like the lane closed to members of public told the town council last week that more research needs to be done to prevent public money being wasted.

Some members of the town council have previously spoken of “friction” in the town as the ambiguity rumbles on.

A spokesman for Somerset County Council recently told the News the opposed order to add a footpath to the official map will be referred to the Planning Inspectorate “as soon as possible” and apologised for any “unavoidable delay”

in the process.

Last week, John Waldie, representing the Residents of Winterhay Lane North group, addressed Ilminster Town Council during the public forum session.

He said: “We were very disappointed that councillors refused to meet with us as we felt a meeting could have helped dispel the suggested friction the councillors have made reference to.

“In the circumstances we believe we have no alternative but to address you for three minutes before every council meeting to give you an objective update on the matter.

“It is not an ideal situation, but it is the only alternative you have left open to us.

“Last week, we issued three challenges to unauthorised walkers on Winterhay Lane, and all were received in good faith, so on this occasion we shall be making no report to the police.

“Our challenging procedure has been carefully checked, and we only ask for names and addresses if we receive rude or abusive replies.

“We understand that there is some frustration that the county council has not been able to progress this matter more quickly, but we would remind all concerned that the county council issued two very conflicting reports on this complicated issue, and there is undoubtedly more research work to be done in preparation for a public inquiry if public monies are not to be squandered inappropriately.

“This is a serious matter, and I have to say I find Cllr David Miller’s letter in the local press very frivolous.

“I hope that in future our town council will exercise more understanding and concern for all involved in what is clearly a difficult situation.”

However, a member of the Winterhay Action Group (WAG), Sophie Storey, told the News after the meeting that walkers have no intention of causing any hassle and she contradicted Mr Waldie on a couple of points.

Mrs Storey said: “The county council did not submit two reports; two were written, but one was pulled for legal reasons because it was deemed incorrect.

“The town council has voted twice now to support it becoming a footpath, the county council has also backed it and the WAG feels that there is animosity when we try and walk the path.

“It’s so ambiguous at the moment because we are waiting for it to go to the Planning Inspectorate, but we don’t understand why the Winterhay Lane North groups can’t say ‘right, we’ll let you walk it until the decision at which time we will accept it’.

“We don’t want to antagonise anyone or cause any hassle, we just want to go for a peaceful walk and we need the decision as soon as possible.”