The Struggle for Footpath 19 (Tottington, Bury)
September 2025
Background
In 2020 a local resident brought to Bury Ramblers' attention that Bury Council had "temporarily" closed Footpath 19 in Tottington because a collapsed culvert allegedly made the path unsafe for walkers.
Rather than repairing the path, as is their duty, the Council continued to extend its closure.
Action
After lengthy discussion, during which Bury Ramblers reminded the Council of their duty, and the Council responded by listing numerous reasons why they couldn't comply, Bury Ramblers initiated legal action. They first wrote to the Chief Executive, and then served notice under Section 56 of the Highways Act. The Council responded with a vague Action Plan but, apart from a site inspection purporting to confirm the difficulties with any of the proposed solutions, there was no further progress.
A second Section 56 notice was served, but when the Council again failed to respond the Ramblers initiated legal action at Crown Court level. Bury Council managed to restore the footpath shortly before the scheduled hearing, after it had been closed for more than four years.
But for the Ramblers' willingness to take legal action, this important link would still be "temporarily" closed. We are glad that it is now accessible and open for walkers to use.
Before and After Photos
The path when it was closed...
The restored path...
The restored path above the culvert...
