Footpath News and Railway Lines

The Public Inquiry into the proposed Chiltern Railways upgrade ended in February. We now await the result; there is a chance that we will get Oddington FP6 on its current line (rather than sent a mile out of the way) and possibly Mansmoor Lane on or near its current route. In the meantime we have the delights of HS2, which will pass through Godington, Newton Purcell, Finmere, and Mixbury possibly affecting eight rights of way.

Splash (no longer, perhaps)

The project to improve the paths in the Cherwell flood plain is nearing completion, with only FP3 having obstructions remaining. The old bridge with missing planks at the southern end of the Wolfson riverside path (FP16) has been replaced with a walkway and most of the stiles have been replaced with gates.

The new bridge about 100 yards north of the walkway bears a ceramic plaque inscribed "Polly's Bridge"; I have been unable to find out who Polly is. The work on the collapsed sections of Thames Towpath has now been completed at a cost of £1.7 million with funding from various sources including landfill tax.

The Marston Walkway The Marston Walkway Photo: Adam

Major Development

The proposed wind turbine at Horspath has been stymied by the Ministry of Defence and the Great Abingdon Megareservoir has been blown out of the water by the Inspector's report on the public inquiry. This report was extremely scathing, and told Thames Water to think again on all counts.

A proposed extension of Carterton threatens the only footpath in the area; I have suggested that it is retained in open space. Also, a proposed extension of Witney to the west will lead to the minor diversion of a bridleway to a new roundabout at Downs Road.

The MoD proposes to build 1900 houses on land at Graven Hill, Bicester, and then sell the site. Another site near Piddington would be sold for warehousing. The plan for the Graven Hill site seems to involve reopening the path along the approximate line of the Roman road. The remaining paths in the area, closed in 1958, all cross land to be retained as barracks or military railway.

Other Matters

The public inquiry into the proposed diversion at Bodicote Mill will be on September 27-28. Preparing the case will involve Inclosure Awards and other ancient documents, possibly including Domesday Book.

The County Council has put into abeyance the diversion application on Sydenham BR7 pending solution of the many problems on the owner's land. Since then 20 of the 28 problems have been resolved.

The obstructions to Highmoor FP5 have now been completely cleared. The owner has applied for a diversion.

The diversions at Cottisford FP8/9 and Benson FP6 have now come into effect.

A proposed diversion of Enstone FP15 looks harmless, but the owner has put yellow blobs that look like waymarks on a number of gates where the path isn't. The County Council is aware of this problem.

A proposed diversion at Shrivenham starts at a gate which is rusted shut, and the proposed route is now occupied by substantial trees.

David Godfrey