Councillor Carolyn Redfern, one of two Labour Councillors representing Sele Ward on East Herts District Council, is leading a campaign to restore public access to the Longwood footpath on the Sele Farm estate.
The Longwood footpath has been used by generations of families in the community and has been frequented by runners, dog walkers and hikers for many years. However, in the spring of 2019, wooden fences were suddenly erected across all of the entrances to the wood with accompanying “no entry” signs at the instruction of the land owner, Lefarge Tarmac.
Residents were shocked and disappointed by this decision. Following reports to Councillor Redfern and her colleague, Sele Ward Labour Councillor Mary Brady, there has been a growing campaign to restore open access to the Longwood pathway.
“A long standing and valued local amenity has suddenly been removed by the land owner, Lefarge Tarmac, seemingly without reason,” Councillor Redfern said. “We are striving to return open access to Longwood and ensure that it is guaranteed as a public right of way for future generations, as it had been for our community before.”
To be formally recognised, the pathway needs to be featured on the definitive map. To this end, Councillor Redfern is asking local residents to fill in a form confirming that they have regularly used this footpath in the last 20 years.
If you are able to support the campaign to save this local pathway and would like to fill in a supporting form, please email hertfordlabour@gmail.com so that we can pass your correspondence on to Councillor Redfern.
