For many years your Liberal Democrat councillors have been campaigning to improve the muddy path between Combe Down and Claverton Down. The path has been officially recognised, the original width restored and a new surface laid. Now the Liberal Democrat led council are trying to upgrade the path to allow safe cycling with an improved surface for everyone.

An application to change the status of the path was sent to the Planning Inspectorate earlier this year. You can follow the progress of the application here. The case is being dealt with by written representations, instead of a full public inquiry.

The applicant and objectors have exchanged written statements of their cases, and commented on the others. This concluded last month. During October the Inspector dealing with the case will visit the site to assess it for themselves. After this they will write their report and issue an order.

This frustratingly slow pace has been typical of the campaign to improve this path, but everything continues to move in the right direction. Bathwick’s Liberal Democrat councillors Nicholas Coombes and David Martin are now working to ensure that BathNES council have enough money to improve the path if the order is confirmed.