Sir.-I write regarding the public footpath along the River Test in Whitchurch.

The town council is aware of the concern in Whitchurch over aspects of the recent temporary closure of the footpath between the Fulling Mill and All Hallows Church, along the bank of the river.

The council has no powers or jurisdiction over the footpath, but has played an active role in attempting to negotiate with the landowner, to both determine and, where necessary, attempt to influence, their plans for the footpath.

Also, in an attempt to show how important this path is to the people of Whitchurch, the council recently organised a census of people using the footpath on an unadvertised Sunday during the summer.

My thanks go to the Whitchurch Ramblers for playing a large part in conducting the census, and to the 157 people who gave their time in filling in the questionnaires, when they walked the path that day.

It was obvious from this exercise how much the path and its views of the river mean to local people.

However, the final say in approving work on the riverbank is given by the Environment Agency, and protection of the path is the responsibility of Hampshire County Council's Rights of Way Department.

Environment Agency plans show the proposed work will be undertaken in three phases.

Phase one and two, which cover about 300 metres of path, from the church end, are to be carried out this autumn/ winter. Phase three will take place in autumn/winter 2007 along the final 200 metres at the Fulling Mill end.

-Hugh James,
Mayor of Whitchurch.