Blocked path right of way questioned

Tuesday 04 September 2018

A local dog walker has raised concerns over the potential loss of a right of way in St Martins after a full fenced gate was erected near Icart Road.

Natasha Luxon has walked around the lanes of St Martins all her life, and said the path in question has recently had a barrier put in place with a note saying 'private property'. This has led her to question the "right of way" with the constables, and also how many other paths could have been lost around the island.

"I walk a lot around Saints and specifically on the path to Icart point and there’s a path which leads off to the corner of the road by Saints Bay Hotel, which is now blocked by a gate. Access is completely blocked off from the cliff path to get back to Icart road. If this is just a property owners decision then I wonder how many other 'rights of way' are being lost in Guernsey?," she said.

She also wondered if people are also losing a potential point of interest with the blocking of this path: "I think there is a bunker somewhere in this area too but could not locate it.  I want to make sure we are not losing a right of way, which should be for the enjoyment of all walkers and visitors to this area."

 Pictured: The path in question, view from Icart road.

Pictured: The path from another cliff path.

St Martins' Parish Constable, Mike Higgins, said the Douzaine was aware of the fencing, and were looking into it.

"There is/was a notice on it from the property owner explaining why they have erected the fencing. The Parish believes that the path is a right of way and this is contested by the landowner," he said.

"Showing that it is a right of way is proving to be difficult even with an advocate working for us. It might be that previous owners have allowed it to become a public path but this present owner is exerting their rights and has withdrawn this allowance. This situation is on-going."

Mrs Luxon added: "It is a shame if the reason we cannot access it is that some people are greedy. I can’t see how walkers would cause a problem. It takes the fun out of cliff walking. I use another right of way off La Rue de la Falaise, down past a derelict vinersy, which takes you on a cliff path not from from Jaonnaise bay. Apparently that was disputed in days gone by."

Pictured: Blocked off path with full fence and zoom in of note inset.