Sussex ramblers say crops are damaging footpaths (From The Argus)

Sussex ramblers say crops are damaging footpaths

5:00pm Sunday 5th July 2009 in

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Walkers have warned that hundreds of paths have been ploughed up or planted with crops.

A survey by the Sussex Area of the Ramblers showed 200 rights of way had been damaged near farms in the South Wealden District.

They say that maize, cereals and oilseed rape had all been planted over rights of way, obstructing the paths.

A spokesman for the national charity said: “That is what is happening on many highways in Sussex now. Walkers are fed up with coming across footpaths that have been ploughed up and planted with crops.”

A spokesman for East Sussex County Council said it is landowners’ duty to make sure the public rights of way that have been cropped or ploughed were clear within 14 days.

He said: “Although it is only a temporary obstruction, it can cause inconvenience to walkers and horse riders.

“We aim to get as many cropped paths cleared as possible and prioritise the most urgent cases for action.

“Last year just over 100 cropped and ploughed paths were reported to us.

“Of these, around 50% were cleared by landowners after we contacted them or took enforcement action.”