Ramblers Lose BMW Bridleway Battle

The Ramblers Association has apparently lost its legal battle to prevent BMW from closing a bridleway which passes through its Cowley factory after magistrates found in favour of the automotive giant.

The car firm wants to close the ancient bridleway - a Roman Road - on security grounds despite the company's admission that it's used by approximately 400 people a day, including their own workers, both to access the plant and the green areas to the north of Oxford.

The company has made provisions for an alternative path for pedestrians and cyclists, but the RA says that the route, which will run for one mile alongside the busy Oxford ring road 'endangers the health, safety and wellbeing of pedestrians'.

The RA describes the 18-month battle which culimated in this week's court hearing as a 'real David and Goliath scenario' with BMW employing two barristers to make its case.

The Ramblers refused to back down despite offers from BMW not to pursue costs if they dropped the case believing that 'safe pathways are a basic right which cannot be undermined by huge corporations like BMW.'