In recent weeks there has been queries raised by Ashby Town Councillors over the state Footpath O89 in Ashby, which was closed for health and safety reasons in June, when it reopens next week. 

The footpath connects the new Money Hill car park to Ashby Town Centre and was closed by Leicestershire County Council Highways with an emergency Temporary Traffic Order. 

The footpath has been shut for the five months since, despite criticism from Ashby Town Council and residents about the nature of the closure. 

The initial reason the Temporary Traffic Order was put in place was claims from the landowner, T Wainwright (haulage) Ltd, that having pedestrians walking through an active haulage depot could pose a 'high-risk' of vehicle-pedestrian conflict. 

The footpath is now due to be officially reopened on 9 December. 

There has been queries from Ashby Town Councillor Murrae Blair-Park about the condition the footpath will be in when it reopens. 

Edwin McWilliam, Access Manager for the Department of Environment and Transport at Leicestershire County Council has told Cllr Blair-Park: 'When the path is reopened it will follow the same route and is available to pedestrian users only – no formal process having taken place to change either the route or its classification.   

'The permitted users will therefore remain as for a footpath as was previously the case. The current gates are a modern steel design and will remain the same. 

'The 100 metres of path from the Warner Road end of the path to the yard has been improved with a new stone surface and warning signs in place.' 

Furthermore, he also assured Cllr Blair-Park that the authority plans to carry out further improvements to the footpath, in line with the needs of the local communities. 

Previously, Leader of Leicestershire County Council Dan Harrison has said he would like to see the footpath resurfaces and accessibility for wheelchairs, prams and cyclists improved. He also mentioned the adding of lights along the footpath to improve the safety of those using it.