‘Reopen right of way’ Christchurch Town Council tells BCP Council in row over Two Riversmeet path

ANGRY Christchurch town councillors are demanding BCP Council restores a public footpath at Two Riversmeet leisure centre which it blocked in preparation for selling the former council offices.

As reported by the A&T, part of the car park at the former Christchurch civic offices, behind Two Riversmeet closed in February.

BCP Council says that it will form part of the sale of the offices, but last week Christchurch town councillors shared their “regrets” BCP had not consulted with them over the proposal.

They also demanded BCP reopen public space to the west of the civic offices which the town council says had already been transferred to Christchurch Borough council.

In a report presented at a meeting of the town council’s planning and regulatory committee, the council said the “sudden closure” of the car park had blocked off a “designated right of way”.

It also states that there is a plot of land previously designated by Christchurch Borough Council as public open space which was “confirmed by a scrutiny committee hearing in 2006”.

BCP offered the civic offices for sale in November last year and it has reportedly been sold.

In its report, the town council says Christchurch’s car parks “play a crucial role in sustaining economic activity and vibrancy”.

It added: “A reduction in available parking spaces poses a serious threat to the town centre’s vitality, affecting businesses and, in this particular case, the local marina and enterprises such as the SUP Store.”

But the town council admits that “there seems to be no remedy for this which is within our power”.

It is also calling for BCP to grant a right of way and has outlined several alternative paths which BCP could establish in place of the existing one.

The council said the path had been “extensively used” by both cyclists and pedestrians and its “preservation was essential.”

The committee also discussed an application to BCP Council by Friars Cliff Residents Association for a Definitive Map Modification Order so that the right of way is recorded on special documents.

It says there is evidence the Two Riversmeet right of way has existed for over 35 years at the site but says it is now “threatened” by development of the area after the sale of the offices.

The application, which is being backed by the town council, the Christchurch Residents Association and Highcliffe Residents Association, states: “BCP has responsibility to assert and protect the public’s enjoyment of all their highways and prevent any unlawful obstruction and stopping up of paths against the public interest.”