Current status: CONFIRMED, Oct 11.
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Strategic significance: This path forms part of one of the community circuits planned by the Trust and BHS for the area: the Aldenham Parish Ride. It links to the Shenley Parish Ride. It forms part of a strategic longer distance route for walkers, riders and cyclists from Bushey to Shenley.
Background: The route shown in red was proposed as part of a scheme to reorganise rights of way on the Woodhall Estate in Shenley. The two routes shown in pale blue are not currently open and available to riders or cyclists, although an order has been made by the county council to record them as all purpose highways. Such orders only come into effect if confirmed, and to do this there will need to be a public inquiry, as there were objections.
The aim of the scheme is to move the (blue) through route to be more convenient to the landowner and provide a better route for riders and cyclists and, depending on viewpoint, walkers. The blue routes are deleted (without their status having to be confirmed by a public inquiry first) as is the yellow footpath. The red route is legally created as a restricted byway, putting its existence beoyond doubt. It is always at least 4m wide, and for much of its length is at least 5m wide. In recognition of the benefit to the landowner, if the scheme goes through, the foopaths remaining on the estate have their widths recorded as 4m, so guaranteeing freedom from encroachment.