A petition has been launched urging Leicestershire County Council to reverse the temporary emergency closure of footpath O89 in Ashby.

In June, Leicestershire County Council issued an emergency closure of Public Footpath 089 through Wainwright's Yard in Ashby, claiming there was a serious risk to pedestrians. 

However, since then, there has been increasing frustration among local people and Ashby Town Council about reopening the footpath due to the closure not being handled properly and the landowners making no real effort to improve the safety of the route. 

At an Ashby Town Council meeting on Monday 7th July, Councillors discussed the importance of re-opening the footpath, suggesting they should apply pressure to the landowners and County Council for it to be reopened. 

Subsequently, a petition has been launched through the Democracy Leicestershire website. The 'Reopen Public Footpath O89' petition is urging the County Council to reopen the pathway through the yard. 

The petition says they are calling for 'an immediate reopening of Public Footpath O89 through Wainwright's Yard in Ashby-de-Zouch.' 

The petition continues, saying: 'This is a well-used and historic right of way that provides a valuable pedestrian route into the town centre. Its closure has caused unnecessary inconvenience and disruption to the public. 

'We do not believe the temporary emergency closure is justified, especially given that alternative, less drastic safety measures could have been implemented. The presence of vehicles on the path does not warrant its complete closure when a clear safety barrier could have been installed to separate pedestrians from traffic.' 

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'We urge Leicestershire County Council, as the responsible Highway Authority, to fulfil its legal duty to ensure this right of way is reopened without further delay. The owners must be required to remove all obstructions and reinstate safe public access in line with statutory obligations.' 

As of Friday 11th July, the petition has 131 signatures and will remain open for people to sign until 19th August 2025. Click here to view the petition and find out more about their aim.