A FOOTPATH which was believed to have been in use for 1,000 years has been reopened after campaigners won their case at a public inquiry.
The path between Park Road and Lenton Road on the edge of the Park Estate in Nottingham city centre was gated in 2009 after complaints about anti- social behaviour.
The Park Estate claimed the path was used by revellers late at night causing disturbance.
However, residents from Lenton, supported by Nottingham City Council and the Ramblers' Association, objected and they have now won their fight to have the 750-metre route designated a public footpath and, as a result, their access has been secured.
Nottinghamshire Ramblers' footpath secretary Chris Thompson, who was one of the 16 people who testified at the inquiry in support of the path, said: "We welcome the recognition of this important and historic path as a public right of way. The city council and concerned citizens are to be congratulated on their tenacity in saving this path for posterity."
Community activist Robert Howard, of Devonshire Promenade, Lenton, was central to the campaign to have the path reopened. He said: "They were just trying to block out the hoi polloi who live in Lenton."
Mr Howard, former chairman of the Dunkirk and Lenton Partnership Forum, said closure of the path added 20 minutes to the journey of people walking between Lenton and the city.
He has researched the history of the area and said the path had probably been used since Lenton came into existence almost 1,000 years ago.
This is because it avoids climbing the hill to what is now Canning Circus, or walking in what would have been the wetlands between Lenton and the River Trent.
The Park Estate began closing the footpath in 1999, according to the Ramblers' Association. In 2009, an electronic gate automatically locked at 11pm and reopened at 5am.
Residents spoken to by the Post welcomed the opening of the footpath.
Lucy Platt, 21, a pharmacy student from Lenton, said: "The gate being shut actually led to more disturbance for me, and so probably for the residents. I heard and saw people climbing over it late at night but now it is open there might even be less disturbance."
Cat Usherwood, 21, a student who lives in Lenton, said: "It is more convenient for it to be open all the time. It was a pain when you didn't know if it was going to be shut or not."
Simon Waterfield, expert in property litigation and a partner at Nelsons Solicitors, who has been advising The Park Estate, said: "We are obviously very disappointed with the decision. Our client is currently considering their position."