Willow's other topic
 

Thinking about oak trees in connection with A-b's quiz I had a mind to wander this afternoon along Broad Oak Rd past the ambulance station and Caligen foam.

It's been quite a while since I was up there and there seem to have been some changes. A steam cleaner and an MOT garage which were once there no longer exist but what surprised me most of all was that I always thought there was a public footpath and right of way beyond the end of Broad Oak Rd up towards High Riley and Spire Farm.

All we encountered were signs saying private and no public access.

Are there any old maps showing public footpaths/rights of way up there?

Re: Willow's other topic
 

Sadly maps are not always sufficient when dealing with footpaths. It may be that Caligen Foam have successfully applied to have the footpath extinguished. In which case the first port of call would be Scaitcliffe House, ask for the planning dept.

Re: Willow's other topic
 

I know that up until recently you could still access High Riley Farm area. There are a few farms up there that could only be accessed via that road and what a hellish road it is, especially in the winter. I was last up there for work purposes about 3 years ago and all the private signs were there then. We were told to just ignore them by the farm owners. I assume that other services ie. the Postie also use this path. I know that the postal service used to use it, but only took post up there once a week.:)

Re: Willow's other topic
 

I don't think the signs are anything to do with Caligen Foam because they seem to be beyond there and past the factory. I was really surprised that all the other little industrial area type businesses were no longer there.

Can't you get to High Riley farm from the top of Sandy Lane? It used to be a bit of a grim road up that way too but again I haven't been for ages.

I once had to deliver something to a farm which had a lot of "keep out" and "warning" signs up and people in a neighbouring cottage said they didn't advise ignoring them as the farmer had a shotgun! Charming.