MADAM – My attention has been drawn to the Modification Order for Whips Lane in Watledge in the Stroud News & Journal.

Based on the evidence considered by the Commons and Rights of Way committee in 2008, I would support the conclusions they have made about the legal status of this path and would be willing to give evidence to support the decision of the committee at any inquiry, as it is clear that it needs to be recorded as a byway Open to All Traffic based on the evidence considered by the council.

However, given the large public concern about this matter, I do wonder whether the council, as order-making authority under the Road Traffic Acts, should give separate consideration to whether this road should be the subject to a traffic order preventing its use by motor vehicles, including motor cycles, on grounds of environmental damage and public safety.

Additionally, it is of some concern that the committee made its decision to pursue this order in 2008 but it has taken six years for the order to be published.

This indicates that there is a significant backlog of work to be undertaken.

Has the council committed appropriate resources, given the need for all unrecorded paths to be added to the definitive map and statement?

Chas Townley

Uplands