Popular walk is unlikely to reopen to ‘all abilities’
Last updated 22:05, Wednesday, 27 August 2008
AN APPRAISAL of the all-abilities Easton’s Walk in Langholm is to be carried out to determine whether it should be closed for good.
The walk, which runs between Buccleuch Park and the Murtholm, was closed at the beginning of the year after part of the path fell into the river.
At the time the chairman of Langholm walks group Gavin Graham warned people to stay away from the popular trail and put up ‘path closed’ notices after realising the risk the landslip posed to walkers.
Mr Graham said: “Langholm walks group has no money and we are just an organisation that is dedicated to promoting walking in Langholm.
“It is unfortunate that this was opened as an all-abilities walk a few years ago at a cost of £18,000 and now we have to close it, possibly on a permanent basis. Certainly, it is unlikely it will ever be able to be used as an all-abilities walk again.”
Although those with pushchairs and wheel- chairs were unable to use the walk, others could go up the park steps and follow the road above Easton’s Walk.
Last week a meeting was arranged by Annandale East councillor Denis Male and attended by representatives of Buccleuch Estates, the council, the Scottish Environment Protection Agency, the chairman of Langholm community council Margaret Sanderson and Mr Graham.
Also attending were the three other ward councillors – Ian Lindsay, Archie Dryburgh and Allan Graham.
Councillor Male said: “The way forward we have come up with is that Buccleuch Estates, SEPA and the council will do a quick appraisal of the whole situation.
“They will put some costs together on what it will take to carry out the three options. They are closing the path altogether, reopening the path or making the walk over the top more user-friendly.
“They will bring back that report and it will form the basis of a consultation by the community council. People will be able to attend their open meeting on September 22.
”We need to tidy up the far end of the park where the gravel has come down and put the park back to how it was before.”
Councillor Male added that he was very concerned about the state of the path.
He said: “There is now a massive tree trunk lying in the middle of the path and there are signs of other trees having moved and slipped.
“We must block it off and make sure no-one gets along there. It’s dangerous. If the bank slips, it could cause the river to flood the town.
“After this appraisal, we need to have a more in-depth study done to see whether it can be made safe. It’s frightening, the number of people walking along there. It is blocked off but you can get round the side of the barrier. People are putting their lives at risk.
“I suspect reopening it is not an option because it will be too much money.”
