Anger as residents repair Roman byway ‘neglected’ by council

Cow Lane between East Hanney and Grove, south of School Road, is in a “terrible condition,” but locals claim Oxfordshire County Council’s highways department is refusing to take responsibility for repairs.

The council says its only duty is to maintain the surface for walkers and horse riders, despite frequent use by vehicles.

Andrew Wastie, a resident of the Causeway, said to Hanney News: “The section of road in question is marked in ‘red’ on the pic, and is a ‘byway’ leading to a restricted ‘byway.’

“This application for funding has not being made without exhausting all other avenues such as Highways, Fix my Street and the parish councils.

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“There is no legal obligation for Highways to maintain the byway beyond being fit for walkers or horses, despite its heavy use by cars, so it is up to the users to improve matters.”

Mr Wastie said residents have maintained the surface for years but many are now unable to help due to age or health.

He said: “We have a number of people who are suffering from serious ill health who use the byway.

“Some have for many years made significant contributions to our community, and now need our assistance to help them.”

Mr Wastie said Hanney villagers installed the private section of road in 1975, and have maintained Cow Lane ever since.

He said: “The work needed is simple and we have received a quote from a contractor for planing the surface, redistributing the material and using an eight tonne roller to flatten it.

“The quote is a very reasonable £750.

“Cow Lane is open to all in the village and all will benefit from its remedial works.”

Cow Lane also has historical significance.

Mr Wastie said: This section of Cow Lane is an old historic Roman road linking Abingdon to Grove.

“This feature in itself is a worthy cause for maintenance for historic Britain and for the bigger picture of assisting those in need today and beyond.”

He also made a request to parents and carers who park along the lane during school runs.

Mr Wastie said: “if you have to park on Cow Lane please do not park on the junction, blocking the footpath all of which are a traffic offence and to please park considerately.”

The fundraising has now made the required amount to fix the road.

In a statement Oxfordsire County Council said: “With a limited budget for Rights of Way maintenance along Oxfordshire’s 2,700-mile network, Oxfordshire County Council has to prioritise its finite resources into the areas where it is most needed.

“As a byway, Cow Lane is not maintained to the standards of the general road network.”