Selbourne 66 - temporary closure

[stevent]

There is a temporary TRO on Selbourne BOAT 66 ---
http://www.streetmap.co.uk/map.srf?X=47 ... &A=Y&Z=120

Its flooded 1.5m deep. This is the latest from the council which our friends at Lodden Vale TRF have had:

Thank you for your enquiry. The route was closed on Health and Safety grounds, following a number of reports from different user groups, one of whom was a 4X4 who got flooded out in the huge pool of water that has collected. At its height, it measure 1.5m deep at the edges and present a risk to those users who were still trying to negotiate the Byway.

Although our area office has a budget that covers the costs of equipment and supplies it does not provide the funds to be able to undertake larger scale works such as surfacing projects - to undertake these we have to look for other sources of funding. At present the list of proactive/larger scale reactive works has been set for this year. However, I am in discussion with the local Parishes to see if some financial help will be forthcoming to try and resolve this issue.
I will update you with any further progress.


Its been alledged that the problems are due to a utility company digging the route up and not putting it back properly.

[big yellow tractor]

This has been an ongoing issue for many years.

At the lowest point on the lane, there are drainage pipes from the fields on either side which discharge into the lane. A year or so ago a volunteer effort was provided with materials to attempt a repair. Unfortunately, the couple of tonnes of crushed rubble that was sprinkled along the lane had little or no effect.

I'm pretty sure the landowner was told that he had to sort out "the drainage in the bottom field" or else !!

Of course, being a rights of way issue, the "or else" came to nothing. It's funny(not) how when things are on the other foot, the council is quick to act.

The landowner would like to see this lane closed because it's use by motorised users hacks-off the folks who live in the very recent posh barn conversions at the southern end.

I've sent an email to Dave Tilbury to see where this stands as far as enforcement orders, etc.

[jaggers]

I inspected this byway 2/10/13. There was no flooding and there were several large piles of hardcore and some ruts. It is a shame that health & safety should impinge on our fun! The user should be responsible for his or her own safety.