Representation by Hugh Murray
- Date submitted
- 1 March 2022
- Submitted by
- Members of the public/businesses
The Icknield Way is the name given to the Public Right of Way that runs from Snailwell to the A1304. It is known in the various Sunnica documents as 204/5. Appendix 13A, Sub Chart E of the Provisional Environmental Impact Report (PEIR), states that this Right of Way is to be closed along the greater part of its length for the entire duration of the construction phase of about two years. Closure of this path will have an adverse effect on myself and many others. It is quite heavily trafficked, largely because it is mostly metalled and is therefore suitable in all weathers for walking, cycling and horse-riding, including, notably, by persons with disabilities. Whilst it is true that alternative routes are available, the Icknield Way is essentially a recreational route and its loss will deprive dog walkers, cyclists, riders, hikers and others of an important amenity. It is not clear why this route needs to be closed. It is outside of the boundary of the scheme and is not really suitable for vehicular access to the scheme. I raised this question at one of the public consultation meetings and the engineer advising Sunnica said that he could see no obvious reason to close the footpath and could not explain why the closure had been proposed. I would therefore ask the Inspectorate to investigate the reasons for this proposed closure and to seek to remove it from the scheme if no adequate reason if provided.