The parish council has issued notice to Nottinghamshire County Council requesting the local highway authority secure removal of an obstruction, under The Highways Act 1980.
Tollerton Parish Council has become aware of multiple obstructions today to the public footpath connecting Tollerton to Clipston and Cotgrave.
Fencing was installed across the right of way on Thursday 24 July by contractors who informed parish councillors that they were working on behalf of the Vistry Group, obstructing the footpath off Tollerton Lane in Tollerton.
No notification has been provided to the Parish Council of a closure, nor does any sign warn those approaching the village from Cotgrave or Clipston of the obstruction. Anyone approaching from these directions would be significantly inconvenienced as there is no diversion and they would need to retrace their steps.
The obstructed right of way is clearly marked on the Ordnance Survey maps running along the blocked track at both 1:25000 and 1:50000 maps and aligns with bridges for crossing the Polser Brook. It has also been used consistently by residents for many years.
This is the second time that contractors working for the Vistry Group have placed fencing in the wrong location but the first to directly impact residents. The new fencing goes well beyond the proposed development site encroaching into the green belt and is an unsettling reminder to residents to how close the new housing could be to the existing village.
The Parish Council has issued notice to the county council to secure the removal of the obstruction. However we would strongly prefer the Vistry Group to take immediate corrective action to remove this obstruction, and fencing from the green belt to avoid any further cost to the public purse.