Many of you will have noticed fencing and signs going up on North Quay cutting off footpaths that have been walked, unimpeded, for decades if not centuries. This sign accompanies the fencing cutting off the paths to the south and west of the cricket club.

Even the Electric Works Road, used since 1905 when the original footpath was cut off by the power station, now has a ‘permissive footpath’ sign implying that the owner could refuse permission at any time. I can remember driving a car along this path back in the 70s and 80s.

To register these paths as ‘definitive’, and ensure they are not lost, it is necessary to collect evidence of use, without being challenged, over a twenty-year period. There is a simple, if tedious, form to complete. If you, and family and friends, have walked these paths over the last twenty or more years, please complete the form which you can download from http://hayle.net/footpaths.htm. You don’t have to have covered the whole twenty year period, it will help if you have used the paths at any time over the last 1 to 50 years. Please return forms to me for collation and submission –the more forms we get, the better. Note that the developer of much of the area, Corinthian Land, has promised to include rights of way in the final development. It will, however, make the case for sufficient rights of way easier if we have your forms as evidence. Also, the Electric Road has been used for so long it would be quite a shock if it were closed to pedestrians.

John Bennett. jb@john-bennett.com. 07876152915