We must be sensible over rail underpass
I AM hoping to avoid a campaign to stop a crossing of the railway line north of Royston, by unreasonable demands being added to plans that all our councils must know are not sensible, feasible or cost-effective. After having messed up two footbridge offe
I AM hoping to avoid a campaign to stop a crossing of the railway line north of Royston, by unreasonable demands being added to plans that all our councils must know are not sensible, feasible or cost-effective.
After having messed up two footbridge offers - the original one from Fairview developers that would have cost the council nothing and the other from Railtrack which would have cost the council only the cost of erection - the proposals for an underpass at Coombes Hole have always been regarded as a ridiculous scheme.
Proof of that comes from none of our councils taking over Coombes Lane and acting as responsible owners.
In fairness to the town council, this is not a matter for them, but the county council or the district council should have taken over the lane when Fairview developed the site.
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In addition to the allotments and other private rights of way that were there before the Fairview development, some residents of Coombelands have built up the right to use this lane.
In addition to this, the county council and the district council have neglected their duties under newer legislation to protect public rights that should have been recorded several years ago because this lane is not even a public footpath.
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We can only hope that Sustrans (the charity awarded a grant from the Big Lottery fund) learns not to act as cover for a grant to a council.
This is something the Lottery has always made clear is unwelcome.
I also doubt that it has told the Lottery it is interferring with a private access road.
As we know, we are soon to have a new county councillor whatever the election result in 2009.
We can only hope a more sensible approach will be taken in the future and that no attempt will be made to bulldoze through the present plans.
RICHARD KETTERINGHAM
Melbourn Road
Royston
