DURING the weekend of January 5/6 the gate at Cow and Hare Passage in St Ives was locked again - this is contrary to the result of the independent inquiry. I have done a little research into the situation on the net and this says that Mr Tony Webster has

DURING the weekend of January 5/6 the gate at Cow and Hare Passage in St Ives was locked again - this is contrary to the result of the independent inquiry.

I have done a little research into the situation on the net and this says that Mr Tony Webster has two sons who live in properties in the passage. Although this information is correct, should it not tell us that Mr Webster owns a number of properties down the passage and he has been alleged to say that he hopes eventually to gate it at both ends.

The council installed lighting and improved the surface of the pavement. This has provided a much safer route from the bus stop on East Street into the town especially for the elderly and the disabled.

Mr Webster may like to check the passage one day to see the people who use it.

Public rights of way are highways that allow the public a right of passage. The permanence of a right of way is guided by the principle that, once it is a highway, it remains a highway until there is a legal event to close, divert or extinguish it. A right of way can be established by a presumed dedication, where the public have used a right of way for a time beyond anyone's memory.

If a public right of way is blocked or impassable, it should be reported to the highway authority.

Now, the residents, the town council and the police are backing a move to have a gating order put in place under the Clean Neighbourhoods and Environment Act 2005.

If this is the case, why were two sacks of rubbish allowed to be in a corner for almost the whole week ending January 13?

E BROCKLEBANK, St Ives