'Fainthearted And Cowardly'

Ramblers are quietly seething in cyber-space after rambler-baiter in chief, millionaire Nicholas van Hoogstratten looks to have gained official approval for a footpath diversion.

The never-ending story of Framfield Footpath 9 seems to have been with us for years now, 12 in fact. Blocked where it crosses Van Hoogstraten's estate, it has become a cause celebre for the Ramblers' Association. The Ramblers seemed to have gained the upper hand when they won a judgement against the millionaire, but he struck back with a proposal for a diversion to the original route, which has now been adopted by East Sussex County Council.

The Ramblers are furious. An article on their web site rages: 'Throughout this sorry tale East Sussex County councillors have behaved in a thoroughly fainthearted and cowardly manner. All along the Ramblers' Association has opposed the diversion in the interests of the public's right to walk a footpath that should be protected under the law.'

'It (the Council) has consistently failed in its duty to assert and protect the public's right to use all paths and is now supporting the landowner who has broken the law by obstructing the path with a locked gate, barbed wire, refrigeration units and a barn.'

According to The Ramblers, there were over 5,000 objections to the path diversion, including 'hundreds from local residents.' The closing date for objections to the diversion is 24 November and there will eventually, say the Ramblers, inevitably be a lengthy public enquiry.

The whole affair has resonated with personal bitterness and barbed remarks with Van Hoogstraten reportedly referring to walkers as 'flashers' and 'the dirty mac brigade' - dirty cag brigade might be nearer the mark.