FOOTPATH 422 ABOUT TO OPEN

SCC have informed the Forum that footpath 422, linking Pyrford Common to The Arbor, is about to be opened but it has been a seven year plus journey.

Carole Gale, a founding member of the Pyrford Forum had a vision to create “The Pyrford Loop” – a 10 kilometre walk inside the Pyrford Neighbourhood Area and this vision was included in the Pyrford Forum Plan approved in December 2016.  This section was  described as “a traditional footpath in use in the area, running from Pyrford Common to Coldharbour Rd, emerging at the back of the Arbor Centre building, which would, if formalised, improve pedestrian access and add amenity value”.  The then Footpath Officer of the Residents’ Association took up the case and submitted all the necessary paperwork to Surrey County Council (SCC) on 4th July 2016.

Following a meeting of the Woking Joint Committee a footpath order was made on 6 November 2019, by SCC. This needed to be confirmed but the landowner Burhill Estates objected  to the order. The next step was a public hearing which has not happened due to the pandemic. SCC have just informed us that the landowner has withdrawn its objection.  The Footpath Order will now be confirmed. But, given that the path is completely overgrown and has in parts become a wildlife habitat, SCC need to arrange clearance works before SCC can publish the confirmation order which formally confirms the path as a public right of way footpath.

No one should try to walk the path just yet. When this is possible, it will be advertised on the SCC website and on the Forum web site.