Council's bid for new right of way

AVID walkers and nature lovers could soon have a new footpath to explore linking Newport and Scratby if a parish council has its “right of way.”

Scratby parish councillors are hoping to be able to apply for the unrecognised path, which runs along the coastline between the two villages, to become a right of way so it is included on maps and guides of the area.

Geoff Freeman, chairman of Scratby Parish Council, said the path was used constantly by walkers but had not been included on any maps. The most recent records of the path's existence are from the 19th century.

But he added the council was looking to apply for official recognition and will be writing to Norfolk County Council to ask if the county would be willing to take on responsibility for maintaining the path.

However, the exact route of the footpath needs to be determined because part of the unrecognised path runs between Scratby, Newport and Hemsby while another section splits off to join up with another path heading back into Scratby.

Mr Freeman said a number of issues had to be addressed particularly the proximity of properties to the path as residents would not want to look out of their windows to find ramblers walking through their back gardens.

But he believed the right of way status would enable a safe path to be created which could be included on a map on the Scratby village noticeboard giving information on all the paths in the local area. Signs could also be erected along the path.

Mr Freeman said: “It is a move to encourage people to take more exercise. A lot of footpaths fall into disrepair but they are becoming more and more popular again so we want to encourage that by establishing where this footpath is.”