Ramblers in Brentwood and Ongar are hopeful that a decision by Essex County Council next month will see a long-running dispute over a North Weald footpath resolved in their favour.

The Rambler's Association claims that since taking over the railway line through North Weald in 1998, the Epping Ongar Railway Company has denied walkers access to a footpath that crosses the rails at North Weald station.

The company had claimed that the path was not marked on the definitive maps held by Epping Forest District Council.

But the ramblers countered that this was because part of the path coincided with a track used as a road before the line was electrified by London Underground.

The case eventually saw the ramblers join forces with the North Weald Preservation Society and the parish council in May 1999 to submit an application for the path to be officially recognised as a right of way.

Preservation Society member Doreen Lodge said: "In a way the company's point that the path wasn't on the definitive map was a good thing because it has allowed us to claim it officially."

And John Holness of the Ramblers' Association added: "The path is marked on maps on the countryside of the line and the section is still walkable.

"However, the route across the land and down Station Road to North Weald's High Road -- which has been walked for 200 years -- has been blocked because it was not marked on the ordnance survey maps. Roads seldom are.

"At last, a decision by Essex County Council is expected in October. We are confident it will confirm that there is a legal path across the railway line at North Weald station.

"We then hope that the path, which has been blocked for over a year, will be reopened."

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