Northants Ramblers(1) are rallying on Wednesday (9 June) to demonstrate the need to add the secret path at Lilford to the official (definitive) map of public paths.(2) They will be joined by Kate Ashbrook, trustee and former chairman of the Ramblers, and Keith Roberts, director of campaigns and policy, and they will walk the secret path.

In December 2009, the Northants Ramblers submitted a claim to Northamptonshire County Council to restore the missing link in the path network, between Lilford and Barnwell, to the path map.

Says Kate Ashbrook: ‘The path between Lilford and Barnwell urgently needs to go on the map. Although it has been used by the public for many years, it has not been officially recognised as a walking route and so it is not shown on Ordnance Survey maps. It provides a lovely peaceful walk and a much safer alternative to the promoted Nene Way, as it avoids two crossings of the lethal A605 road.

‘It is only 500 metres long, but it is a vital link in the network. Until it is added to the map there is a dead-end path. This path would link communities and provide a superlative walking route in wonderful countryside.

‘We know that money is tight, but an investment in walking is excellent value for money—if this route is restored, the Nene Way will be safer and more enjoyable. That will encourage people to visit the county and spend money here. And good paths provide health and happiness for residents and visitors—that is money well spent.

Adds David Craddock, chairman of the Northants Ramblers: ‘We hoped that the landowner, the Merchant Venturers, would voluntarily dedicate the route as a public highway, but unfortunately they have not done so. We have good evidence that this path is a public highway and we are pressing Northamptonshire County Council to treat our claim as a priority.

The Ramblers put in claims for six other paths around Lilford and Thorpe Achurch.

1. Northants Area of The Ramblers has almost 1250 members belonging to five groups, four of which are organised on a geographic basis; Daventry, Kettering, Northampton and Wellingborough, whilst the other, the 20s / 30s group covers the whole county.

The Ramblers is Britain’s biggest charity working to promote walking and to improve conditions for all walkers. It also seeks to protect rights of way, campaigns for access to open country and defends the beauty of the countryside. It is celebrating its 75th anniversary this year.

2. A route may be added to the definitive map of public rights of way, held by the county or unitary council, if (a) the public has used the route without permission or being stopped for 20 years, or (b) there is historical evidence that it was once a public highway, and it has never been closed, or (c) there is a combination of the two.