Above: I think the ‘No public right of way’ signs are fairly recent. They certainly weren’t there when I created the route, back in 2011.
Page update: Click here to support the campaign to create a PRoW.
I’ve had an email demanding that I remove walk 12 in the series; the one that follows the route of the Cromford and High Peak Railway line from Old Macclesfield Road all the way to Whaley Bridge. And threatening both legal and police action if I refuse.
I’m told that part of the route goes down a privately-owned road (see map below). It’s a short stretch of tarmacked lane, running from the railway track down to Bishops Lane.
The bottom half of the lane is marked as a designated footpath – from Plex Farm to Bishops Lane. But the top half – from the railway track to Plex Farm isn’t. And the farm owners are saying I shouldn’t have included the top half of the lane in the walk route.
But walkers have been going this route for decades. I spoke to someone who lives on Old Macclesfield Road over the weekend, and he told me he’d been there all his life (over 50 years) and walkers have always used it.
Above: An OS map shows the designated footpath as green dashes.
This section of the old railway track isn’t marked on maps as a public footpath, but as far as I know, the farmer who owns this land (I think it belongs to Tunnel Farm) doesn’t object.*
It’s bordered on both sides by the original stone walls so walkers can’t stray onto the surrounding fields. And I’ve never seen any ‘Private’ or ‘Keep out’ signs.
I tried to have a chat to the farmer at Plex over the weekend, but was told in no uncertain terms that he’d call the police if he ever saw me on the top half of the lane. I’m very reluctant to remove the walk as it took quite a time to create. So it will be interesting to see if they do take legal action against me.
In the meantime, I’ve changed the walk description so it starts further along the route. Which annoys the hell out of me. But I wouldn’t want anyone following the route to encounter the bloke.
Page update #1
This post generated a lot of comments on the GV Facebook page. And a lot of people are saying they’ve either had, or heard about, unpleasant encounters with the farmer at Plex. And from well before the virus crisis. Russell got in touch to say that he’d recently been walking the footpath from the Old Macclesfield Road to Plex with his dog:
As I walked though the farm I heard a lady shouting. At first I didn’t realise it was me she was calling, so I carried on walking. She then came out and told me the footpath was closed. I asked why. She said “nothing to do with us”.
She then told me to keep my dog under control and away from her. My dog was by my side, on a lead and totally calm. She told me there were vulnerable people on the farm and that I’m risking their lives. And that I need to keep my dog under control or it could be shot.
I said she is under control and is good with sheep and cattle. She said you need to turn around because your dog is worrying the lambs. There wasn’t a sheep or lamb in sight at the time. I explained that I was only following the footpath which I thought only the council could close.
At this point a pick-up truck appeared with two guys. So I said fair enough and started to head back the way I came. But was followed all the way by the two guys in the pick up.
Louise also got in touch to say:
“A couple of weeks ago my neighbour was threatened and pushed trying to walk through there. He’s nearly 70. One man made a call and two pick-ups arrived. Very intimidating. Police weren’t very interested.
I’m being threatened with legal action by the owner of Plex Farm. So if anyone else has had similar experiences, it could help my case. Just get in touch using the contact page.
Page update: Click here to support the campaign to create a PRoW.
Page update #2
*I’ve now discovered that the old railway track is owned by Richard Lomas – the man whose name is on all the lorries, and who lives nearby.
I did manage to speak to him as I’d heard that he doesn’t mind walkers using the track. But he made it plain that he does object. And would fight any attempt to have it declared as a PRoW through the courts.
So the complete route we will have to claim – on the basis that it’s been used unopposed for over 20 years – is all the way from Macclesfield Old Road through to Bishops Lane.
If you’re submitting an evidence form, and this is the way you walked, please make sure to mark the entire route on the map – as shown by the green dashed line (click the map to enlarge).
Page update: Application now filed
Derbyshire CC has now filed our application to make the route a public right of way on their website (click here to view). I’m fairly confident it will succeed. But if Richard Lomas (the man with his name on all the lorries) is true to his word and fights it through the courts, it could take a long time.
I really don’t think he’s correct but it may be worth checking who owns the road, David. I’m happy to walk down there with you as I’m sure others would be. Try not to let it bother you.
I took my children for a walk along that route in February, the woman on the farm was absolutely vile towards myself and my children, screaming at us saying it was private and should not be walking along it. I’ve been using this walk for over 30 years, never had an issue and then on this day came over shouting at us.
We’ve been walking the old railway line and Plex Lane since moving on to Macc’ Old Rd in 1982. I know of people who have been put off running there because of the sign.
I think the lack of respect to owners land is disgusting, you all think you can go where ever you want I would like to come and trample on your land when ever it suits me. The lane to Plex Farm has always been private, but you all just trespass then try and make out you’ve walked it for 20 yrs, and the railway track has always been privately owned . These owners have worked hard to have these properties if you want to have the privilege go and buy your Own lzz as bd instead of abusing other people’s properties and livelihood. No respect what’s so ever. Put a map up of your addresses and we’ll come and walk round your land, garden or back yard.
Well said!! This gentleman David Stirling is causing some awful problems by the looks of it. He has taken a personal vendetta against these families and homes just because they won’t let him walk on their land. Which they have every right too. He is also removing comments when people disagree with him. Not a fair argument if you ask me.
The lane to Plex farm is a public footpath and not private (as per the little wooden post situated at the junction of Bishops lane and the lane to Plex farm). The lane continuing past Plex farm is not owned by them, neither is the railway track, what gives them the right to be aggressive to people. As for trampling, it’s a lane with asphalt laid down that I’ve seen many a delivery vehicle, farm vehicle and walkers use and it’s not done any damage to the surface. Walking past the farm is less invasive than the public right of way going through their land.
Ive told you about tormenting people. It doesn’t end well. Why carnt you go into town and look at some shops instead. Or is this not risky enough for you. Farmers and farms have a job keeping thieves away and public rights of way dont help one bit.
You are incoherent. All of the moorland is in private ownership. The coastline is ‘owned’, Snowden is ‘owned’ Are you seriously suggesting that there should be no public footpaths or rights of way? That we all just stick to our garden or the pavement? Fortunately, wealth doesn’t trump the law in Britain, yet.
Exactly. A Right of way is what it says: a right to walk over private land. And David is arguing and trying to prove that Pex Lane is a right of way. And since trespass is a civil matter the police will only take action if there is a breach of the peace. Something more likely to be caused by the farmer.
I think the danger is if these people succeed in closing a clearly old and well used footpath then it sets a completely wrong precedent and we will likely see more of this in future. Just a thought but is the footpath covered by a Peak & Northern Footpaths Society route? They will be very interested in this situation I am sure if that is the case.
I would love to walk this old railbed that used to be the Cromford and High Peak Railway. Could you please keep me informed about the struggle with the land owner? Is there anything I can do to help? Good luck and best wishes.
Only just seen this page. Have you got The Ramblers organisation involved? They know all about getting old paths recognised. I wish you well with your campaign.
I’ve had problems using the footpath around Plex Farm this year as huge barricades have been put across part of the public footpath. But isn’t there a wider issue here regarding increasing enclosures of lots of open access moorland around Buxton with acres of it being fenced off in the last 2-3 years? Latest example is west of the old railway track as you enter the Goyt Valley. Also the moorland above the old Lightwood Reservoir on outskirts of Buxton, and the moorland left of the Buxton to Macclesfield Road before the split with the Congleton Road. I wonder how this enclosing fits with the provisions of the 2000 Countryside and Rights of Way Act? Or am I missing something?
I have recently moved to the centre of Buxton. I’m busy exploring the paths around Buxton and was delighted to find your book ‘Buxton & the Goyt Valley’ in the visitor centre. It was good to find the Bishop’s Lane route (Walk 3) as this makes access to Goyt’s Moss and the Goyt Valley so much quicker and easier than going all the way down to Old Macclesfield Road. So, when I got to the big intimidating red no entry signs this was a huge disappointment.
Incidentally, returning from Errwood via Wildmoorstone Brook to the dismantled Cromford and High Peak Railway I noticed first a finger post saying BUXTON and then on reaching the railway a second finger post saying BISHOP’S LN. These appear to be very old signs put up by the council many years ago so I assume the route via Bishop’s Lane has been established for a long time. As I knew this route to be closed I came back via Burbage Edge which was quite a difficult climb at the beginning.
I do hope you can get the Bishop’s Lane route reopened and thank you again for your wonderful book.
I would be delighted to organise a mass walk past on this path. This person is nothing but a self obsessed bully.