Much-loved right of way in Harborough has been opened back up to the public after being blocked by a fallen tree

A much-loved right of way in Market Harborough blocked by a fallen tree has been opened back up to the public.

Dog walkers and runners are using the popular trail again as Leicestershire County Council acted after being alerted by veteran rambler Peter Pollak.

The path winds from the top of Harvest Road off Lubenham Hill down a steep hill to join the footpath by the A4304 leading to nearby Lubenham.

It was blocked off for several weeks after a tree either fell or was placed across the entrance to the muddy cross-country section heading west out of Market Harborough.

But the county council has now created new access to the trail by cutting a gap in the hedge – about 20 feet from the old way in.

Peter, 75, of Limner Street, Farndon Fields, Market Harborough, told the Harborough Mail: “This is excellent.

“I’m very pleased to hear that this has been done.

“I first reported this to the council back on January 26 – so it’s a case of better late than never.”

The lifelong environmental campaigner added: “Well done to the Harborough Mail for backing me by bringing this anomaly to the council’s attention and generating some action at last.

“A lot of people use that path and it wasn’t good enough to leave it obstructed as it was.

“I walk along there with my wife Fran all the time.

“You get fantastic sweeping views from the top of the hill.

“You’ve got East Farndon to the south, majestic open fields and meadows stretching out in front of Lubenham to the west and Gartree to the north,” said Peter, a spokesman for the Open Spaces Society, at 156 years old the UK’s oldest national conservation group.

“Too many of our public rights of way as well as bridleways and rambling trails are disappearing all over the area as it is.

“So we need to make 100 per cent sure that brilliant walks such as this one are kept clear and protected for the benefit of all of us.

“We’ve got the better weather coming up in the spring and summer and even more people will want to get out and explore our glorious countryside around Market Harborough.

“So getting this right of way opened up again really has put a spring in my step.”

Cllr Trevor Pendleton, the county council’s cabinet member for highways and transport, told the Mail that they had opted to “make a new footpath which matches the path the developers built”.