A NEW public footpath path has now been opened in Penton Mewsey.

It runs for 0.8 miles from the existing Bridleway Number 8 near Penton Saw Mill to Footpath 4 at the edge of the village near Home Farm.

It means walkers who want a circular walk using Penton Mewsey Bridleway 8 no longer need to walk along Newbury Hill Road with its blind bends.

This new footpath comes about following the work of Andover Ramblers member Paul Howland who has submitted over 100 claims for lost paths in North West Hampshire to the Hampshire County Council (HCC).

A lost path is a legal right of way which, through error, is not shown on the HCC definitive list of public rights of way and hence does not appear on the modern OS Maps.

Paul’s work involves inspecting ancient routes and researching old maps and documentation in London and Winchester archives to unearth sufficient evidence to convince the local authority and government inspectors that the route should be formally recorded as a public right of way on the definitive map.

The original claim for the Penton Mewsey path was submitted in October 2017.

Since the county council has a sizeable lost path claims backlog of several years, this is the first new path claim by Paul that has been approved and opened.

It has been promoted up the order of claims because of the planning application for the new Penton Mewsey solar panel farm.

Andover Advertiser: Route of new paths Penton Mewsey 501 & 502.Route of new paths Penton Mewsey 501 & 502. (Image: Contributed)

The original lost path route was through the centre of the solar panel farm and the route just opened has been diverted around it.

The new path needed a new kissing gate to be installed which was done by the HCC Rangers supported by Andover Ramblers’ members Ann May, Mike Peacock and David Clark.

The new route way was fully waymarked by Andover Ramblers members Roger Shoulders, David Clark, Tony Giblett, Mike Peacock, Richard Rippingale and Nick Sparks.