The Ramblers Association went to court against BMW yesterday to challenge the closure of a 2000 year old footpath that passes through the company's premises in Oxford.
The bridleway follows an old Roman Road and it's used by around 400 people each week, heading for a fix of green space in the north east of the city. And that's according to BMW's own research ...
The stats didn't stop the automobile company from applying to the County Council to close the path in May 2006 though. Admittedly, they did offer an alternative, but path users - and the Ramblers - understandably weren't impressed with the new route, which follows the congested Oxford ring road for a mile. Perfect for a nice quiet country walk!
Adrian Morris, head of the Ramblers' Association's footpath team says: "BMW's plans will deny hundreds of people per day a safe and quiet means of accessing work and the countryside beyond, endangering their health and safety as they are forced to trek along a busy B road."
Crunch time on the issue is now at hand as the Ramblers face BMW in court this week, in what they describe as a 'David and Goliath-style legal battle.
Good luck to them and look out for the verdict next week.
