THE struggle to get a piece of land listed as a footpath linking Bourne End and Wooburn Green is over, as the route has been formally approved as a public right of way.

The status of the footpath was decided by the county's planning inspectorate after a two-day inquiry held last month.

Jim Penfold, chairman of the Bourne End Residents Association, which made the application to get the land recognised on the definitive map of the area, said it was the culmination of six years' work.

He said: “I'm absolutely delighted for the walkers of Bourne End and the walkers of Wooburn.

“That's something that is going to link the two communities forever.

“I think this is something a lot of people in Bourne End wanted.”

The route runs from a point of Cores End Road, near to Furlong Road and New Road, and continues in the direction of Wooburn Green. It runs for about 360 metres before linking to a path leading into the centre of Wooburn Green.

The only adjustment made by The Planning Inspectorate, which gave the approval, was that the footpath be narrowed from four metres to 1.8 metres.

The Bourne End Residents Association applied to have the stretch of route appear as a path on the definitive map in 2002, on the basis that people had been able to walk it unimpeded for 20 years.

The application was refused by Buckinghamshire County Council in 2004, but then went through on appeal two years later.

But an objection was raised when the county advertised the fact the route was to be put on the definitive map, leading to the inquiry.

The decision can be appealed at the High Court.