A ROW has erupted over a decision to move a popular riverside footpath in Staveley.

Cumbria County Council claims the existing footpath, which runs from Coldrigg Fold to The Eagle and Child, is narrow and difficult to use.

They have proposed moving it to the same side of the road as the houses on Kendal Road.

But residents in the area want the path kept where it is.

They claim that moving it would pose a safety risk to the young families who use it. Anna Williams is one of 281 people who have signed a petition against the plans. “There has never been an accident on this road in 20 years,” she said. “It is not a dangerous footpath. This will create a whole new risk.”

There are also fears about parking problems and congestion.

“We accept that the footpath into the village centre needs to be improved and that safety is very important, but this scheme makes the situation even worse, not better,” added Ms Williams.

A council spokesman said the scheme formed part of the authority’s highways improvements programme.

“It was a high priority scheme in the Staveley Community Travel Plan which was developed by the local community a few years ago,” said the spokesman.

“It has got to the top of the overall priority list and is funded for this year.

“However, a body of local opinion is developing to keep it on the existing alignment, although this could be technically quite difficult and less attractive to pedestrians.”

Objections, including a legal argument that the path was dedicated by businessman Edwin Brockbank in a gift of deed in 1935, with conditions in place to maintain it, will be considered by Cumbria County Council’s Local Committee for South Lakeland on February 28.