TWO footpaths used by members of the community for decades have been officially declared public rights of way.
A route from Hallgate and a pathway leading from Hallstile Bank, both to the rear of Prospect House, in Hexham, will be included in a future Definitive Map Modification Order after members of Tynedale Local Area Council approved Hexham Civic Society’s applications.
The society applied for both routes to be designated as public footpaths and argued that they had been used by local people for more than 20 years.
The application for the Hallgate path followed the locking of gates which prevented public use of the area in recent years.
County councillor for Hexham West, Derek Kennedy, said that the route featured as a public trail on a map of suggested walks in the town which was published in 1981, proving it had long been used by the community.
Coun. Trevor Cessford, county councillor for Hexham Central with Acomb, agreed: “This path has been walked for many years.”
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