Controversial Public Footpath Finally Opens

The 29th August marked the opening a picturesque public footpath through the local countryside of Weybridge, Surrey. However, this pathway was not a simple task; taking 14 years from proposal to opening, why bother to build the path, why did take so long, and was it worth it?

This listed Broadwater Lake is not only beautiful, but historic; it was developed as a fishing lake for Henry VIII in 1537. Yet through time, it fell into neglect and according to local councillor Andrew Davis was “allowed to fall apart and was in need of revival”. To revitalise the historic connections to Oatlands Palace, the construction of a Public Footpath was proposed along the shoreline of the lake. The aims of the project were to make the lake more interesting for local people, and according to local councillor Andrew Davis to make the “ecosystem more vibrant and improve wildlife abundance as well as to make the ecosystem more accessible for people with mobility restrictions”.

The construction of a wide, paved path now ensures access to the path by disabled people. Bridges have been built over the Engine and Broadwater Rivers and the pathways have been raised. This ensures there is little threat of waterlog; a large issue for this particular area which is prone to flooding. 

Despite the funding provided by Elmbridge Borough Council, objections caused by a local school set back the project as the school owns the plot of land the path through which the path would run, with the school’s objection based on the grounds of safeguarding. However after various setbacks and the sheer determination of  local residents, the footpath was completed and finally opened in late August.

Deemed a local success already as evidenced by the popularity of the footpath, the Council achieved what they had set out to accomplish – accessibility for all. As a result, the target by Andrew Davis to “make the countryside more accessible,” has been fulfilled, and many are enjoying the rediscovery of the new public footpath which will grace the local area for many years to come.

Libby McDonagh, St George's Weybridge.