A David and Goliath battle over footpath

The residents live in Bradley Road, Harestock, and have a short path at the bottom of their gardens.

Although they own the route, there is a public right of way over it and they want the county council to adopt it and put in a badly-needed streetlight.

The council says that first the path must be repaired and the residents should pay for the street light.

But the residents assert the 50 metre long path is only damaged because of the roots of hedges and trees that have been planted by one of the public authorities some 20 years ago.

It means that the situation has reached an impasse.

Anthony Wood, 65, a retired teacher, of Bradley Road, said: "We are the only part of Harestock that is not lit. Yet we are paying the same council tax as everyone else.

"Our view is that since it's someone else's hedge and trees that are breaking up the path, the council has a cheek to say they won't put a light in.

"I suspect they think that we are a bunch of miserable whingers."

In the past efforts to get the council to adopt the path have been hampered by a lack of agreement among all the six households.

City MP Mark Oaten is supporting their cause. He said: "This is a piece of red tape that needs untangling. I'm hopeful that if all the residents agree we can persuade the council to adopt the path, so it can be repaired and lights installed.

"The idea the residents should erect lights is a nonsense. This has been a public right of way for more than 20 years.

"It is a David and Goliath situation and I think the council should budge."

But in a recent letter to Mr Oaten, a senior county county official gave little ground for optimism.

Alan Mills, assistant director of the environment, warned: "The surface should be maintained by the residents or they may suffer a claim as regards public liability, particularly where the tree roots from the recreation ground surface in the footpath making tripping a distinct possibility."