THERE’S delight for residents in Appletree Lane in Brockhill after the successful conclusion of a long campaign to get two halves of a footpath joined together.
The work should have been completed 18 years ago when the development was built but wasn’t.
The cause was taken up by County Councillor Robin Lunn (Lab, Redditch North) who was frustrated people were having to walk in the road or on the grass if they wanted to go between the two sections of the lane.
This was particularly inconvenient for parents with young children in pushchairs or anyone using a mobility scooter.
“It was immensely frustrating for people who lived in Dairy Lane, the roads around it, and one part of Appletree Lane as they couldn’t walk on a footpath if they wanted to go between the two,” said Coun Lunn, who used his county discretionary highways fund to help pay for the work.
“This should have been put in by the developer when the estate was built, and having spoken to many residents while doing doorstep surgeries in the area, it was an election pledge last year that the paths would be joined together, and I am very pleased this has now come to pass.
“We did a similar thing in 2015 to link the two parts of Lily Green Lane in Brockhill together.
“You won’t encourage people to walk more with all the associated health benefits, unless you provide paths free of obstacles.
“It is also important that the small amount of highways monies which we have, is used for footway construction and repairs as well as road repairs.
“In future developers should not be allowed to leave an area until they have completed what they promised to provide.”
