Path has been inaccessible for past year, say angry residents (From Watford Observer)

Merry Hill Road residents angry at treacherous footpath

11:20am Thursday 21st February 2013 in News By Kathryn Snowdon, Reporter

Path has been inaccessible for past year, say angry residents

A treacherous footpath that is covered in mud and water is causing problems for Bushey residents.

Footpath 16, connecting Merry Hill Road with St James Parish Church, has been swamped with water, concrete and debris for almost a year, locals say.

Daphne Waddington, of Merry Hill Road, said she has seen lots of people with pushchairs getting stuck and that the path is so inaccessible for some older residents they often have to walk the long way round.

The retired school lab technician, 78, said: "It’s been going on for almost a year now. How long are we going to have to wait?"

She and husband, Richard, 82, a retired salesman, have gone down to the path themselves with a pair of secateurs to cut back the shrubbery in an attempt to make it more accessible.

Mrs Waddington added: "We moved here 13 years ago and we were always able to use the path, but not for a year now since Banner Homes came here and destroyed it."

Banner Homes’ new development, Egerton Park, situated in Merry Hill Road, contains eight detached five and six bedroom homes, which are priced at £1,550,000.

Piers Banfield, group sales and marketing director of Banner Homes Group, said there is a problem with Merry Hill Road when it rains because of the soft verges, its steepness and the lack of drainage.

Mr Banfield said: "Having been notified of the issue, we are cleaning the gulleys and the whole of the footpath as a gesture of goodwill."

Dennis Evans, 93, another Merry Hill Road resident, said: "It has become a source of embarrassment."

Mr Evans, who was an RAF pilot during the Second World War, said Merry Hill Road is curvy and really unsafe, so the footpath used to provide the best way to get up the hill and to the surrounding walks.

Mr Evans, a resident for 27 years, said: "It was in constant use. We used to have dogs and it was a really useful footpath. Now it is really dangerous without it."

He added: "It is almost impossible, with mud, debris and water running through it. Water seems to be channelling that way."

A spokesman from Hertfordshire County Council said it is aware of the restricted footpath and is currently in contact with the developer regarding the issue.

The council would like those who used the footpath before it was restricted, to contact Judy Raymond on 01992 555235 or, by e mail, via judy.raymond@hertfordshire.gov.uk.