CAMPAIGNERS have been fighting to reopen a ‘popular’ path used ‘for more than 30 years’ after it was closed by a railing.

The route into Haworth Park from Manchester Road has been shut off after metal barriers were put in place ‘without warning’.

The fence was put up by Ring Stones Maintenance and Construction as part of its work to build 12 homes on the former Hill Top Care Home site off Newton Drive.

Baxenden resident George Spence has been out canvassing support for the removal of the railings.

He said: “Access into the park from Manchester Road was suddenly closed permanently by the new set of railings.

“It’s been used by dog walkers, joggers and pedestrians, for more than 30 years, it’s a busy path.

“It’s up to local people to get the gate reopened, what they’ve done is wrong.

“We’re hoping we’ll be able to do that in the future, I’ll be pushing hard for that.”

Mr Spence collected forms from area representative for Hyndburn Council Cllr Kath Pratt to make a complaint about the railing.

She has now sent off the forms to the county council and is waiting to hear back.

Cllr Pratt said: “That has been a public path for as long as I’ve lived here, which is at least 29 years.

“I’ve got 20 forms already of people against the railing being put there.

“I’m definitely against it, it’s a really well-used path, people walk through it all the time.”

Ring Stones said the fence has been approved by the council’s planning department.

James Macaree, Ring Stones’ operations manager, said: “This fence is part of the approved planning application, and is fully compliant with the advice of local planning officers and building inspectors.

“We are working hard to complete this development in the fastest and least disruptive way possible, and have gone to extra lengths to resolve any concerns the local residents may have.”

Simon Prideaux, chief planning and transportation officer at Hyndburn Council, said: “There are no records of a public right of way across this site. Anyone concerned about a potential obstruction to a right of way should get in touch with the Public Right of Way Team at Lancashire County Council.”