Residents' memories needed by campaign to reopen Teneriffe Path at public inquiry

Lyme Regis Town Council is hoping Teneriffe Path, which runs between Broad Street and Parade, can be adopted as an official right of way.

As reported in the Bridport & Lyme Regis News last month, a public inquiry will be held next year to determine whether or not the path will be reopened.

The town council believes the path was freely used by the public for at least 60 years, but it was closed by nearby residents with a locked door on Marine Parade in the 1980s.

A previous public inquiry ruled the footpath should be re-opened to the public, but following a mistake in the drafting of the order by Dorset County Council, the path has remained closed. The town council needs the support of residents and visitors who remember using the path, particularly prior to 1996 to submit evidence for the second inquiry. The council is now putting together a case in preparation for the inquiry on Wednesday, February 22, 2017, from 10am at Woodmead Halls.

Cllr Sean Larcombe, chairman of the council’s footpaths working group, said: “This council has been battling to re-open Teneriffe Path to the public for more than 15 years and we are determined to see this through to the end.

“Previous council administrations worked long and hard on this campaign, following many requests from townspeople to take up the issue, and we are working with former councillors to ensure we get the right result for the people of Lyme Regis."

He added: “It is clear this path was used by the public for many years, as demonstrated in the witness statements provided to the first public inquiry.

“We are now calling on the public to support us once again and provide the evidence we need to present a convincing case to the public inquiry.”

Anyone who is willing to provide a witness statement is asked to contact Cllr Sean Larcombe on cllrsean.larcombe@gmail.com or 01297 444611, or Cllr Cheryl Reynolds on c.reynolds@lymeregistowncouncil.gov.uk or 01297 443814.