RAMBLERS are to fight the closure of a scenic Ribble Valley footpath in the High Court.

A two-and-a-half-mile stretch of the Ribble Way near Sawley has been the subject of a wrangle between landowners and Lancashire County Council for 13 years.

Former Environment Secretary John Gummer ordered the deletion of the path from the definitive map.

Lancashire County Council argued closure would mean long diversions away from the River Ribble and the loss of superb views.

But landowners argued promotion of the path as a tourist attraction had turned it into a "motorway for walkers", causing untold damage to their land.

The matter came to a head at a public inquiry, when inspector John de Winton upheld the claim of landowners that the path had been included on the definitive map in error.

He later dismissed an appeal against his decision by the Ramblers' Association and ordered the path to be closed to the general public.

Now the association is claiming a miscarriage of justice and is to take the matter to the High Court.

Local Ramblers' spokesman Frank Parrott, of Green Drive, Clitheroe, said the High Court action had launched on the advice of a top barrister.

"It was a momentous decision for the association to make, because of the high cost involved, but we feel a miscarriage of justice has taken place and are acting on the advice of a QC," he explained.

"This case is of national importance, because a dangerous precedent could be set by closure of the path. We had to think long and hard about taking the matter to the High Court, but are convinced we have a good case."

The case is scheduled to be heard by three judges in the New Year.

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