An ass of a decision

A popular country path has been blocked in a row between landowners - forcing riders, cyclists and walkers to use a dangerous alternative.

The “Delph Donkey” path has been used by countryside enthusiasts for over 35 years, since the closure of the Delph railway. Though private land, the natural pathway has been used without obstruction.

But in a dispute between the land’s joint owners, a fence has been erected to show the path is private..

Users say they have done nothing to warrant losing the pathway.

Local resident Gerry Royle is furious: “This path has been in use for years. The alternative place for people to cross into Delph is on Delph New Road, which is extremely dangerous.”

“We’ve appealed for the fence to be taken down. Over the years the owners have put up other notices like this, closing the path, so they could establish there has been no continuous usage. It’s just nonsense.”

Oldham Council says it can do nothing to reverse the closure: “The Delph Donkey path is interrupted by private land, an owner of which doesn’t want to grant the public right of way.”