Rambers have been told to take a hike by council bosses who are refusing to link two footpaths.

Walkers enjoying the pretty countryside around Bolney are currently having their idyllic jaunts ruined as they come face to face with the seven roaring lanes of the A23.

It is because footpath 16, which winds its way through Chaites Farm was chopped in half when that stretch of the A23 was built and now comes to a complete dead end at the busy motorway.

Until recently, walkers had been faced with the unenviable choice between risking their lives crossing the road or a one mile hike north along the dangerous grass verge to the A272 where the road can be crossed safely.

To solve the issue it had been hoped that instead of building a costly bridge over the road, the footpath would be linked with another path to the north.

While this would not enable walkers to cross the A23, it would at least link the footpath with the rest of the network, allowing a continuous walk for ramblers.

However West Sussex County Council's Rights of Way Committee has refused to link the footpaths, saying it would rob the owners of Chaites Farm of their privacy.

Councillors who made the decision said it was not "unreasonable" for ramblers to hike it up to the A272.

Ted White, spokesman for the Open Space Society, which had been pushing for the link, said: "We are deeply disappointed by the decision.

"Ever since the A23 was built, more than ten years ago, we have pressed for the dead end footpath to be linked into the network.

"We have been unable to persuade the Highways Agency to provide safe crossings and this plan provided the next best solution.

"The councillors who opposed the plan have not acted in the public interest and walkers in the area will suffer as a result."

Mr White added that the society would continue to lobby for the link.

The owners of Chaites Farm have refused to allow the proposed link to go through their land because they believe it would lead to an increased number of walkers trundling through their farm.

However the council had recommended that the link was made compulsory by the county secretary and the owners paid compensation.

But it now looks unlikely that councillors will change their mind.

Bill Acraman, the Chairman of the Rights of Way Committee, said: "The Rights of Way Committee considered the officer recommendation and evidence for and against the proposal.

"A majority of the committee decided not to agree with the officer recommendation as the creation of the footpath link would have an adverse impact on the landowner's security, privacy and does little or nothing to enhance the footpath network in the area."

Do you think ramblers are at risk because of the council's decision? Have your say below.