REPORT OF THE Dacorum Borough footpath secretary 2020 A complicated series of orders were completed in Tring Rural Parish involving the diversion of several footpaths numbers 14, 15 and 16 and also the extinguishment of two footpaths which did not really lead anywhere and the creation of two replacement footpaths which usefully linked with the existing rights of way. The whole details can be viewed on the Ramblers Assemble system, provided you have access. I had several notifications about a development at Woodfield School, but I could not see any effect on the rights of way, so did not comment. Tring town footpath 48 was diverted round a new housing development. This path runs from the Icknield Way to Okeley Lane. The route seems slightly longer, but is otherwise reasonable. An order was made after an appeal for a new footpath, number 61, at Berkhamsted. It runs from Ashlyns Road to Chesham Road across the Berkhamsted school playing fields. This path was turned down once, but reinstated after appeal. I expect there will an objection and a public enquiry, but I have not heard whether this will happen yet. I appealed against the proposed closure of the four footpaths crossing the A41 bypass at Northchurch. I supported the local Councillors in their request for a bridge for footpaths 21 and 22, but Hertfordshire CC has rejected this. When the bypass was built the Inspector turned down our request for a bridge as the expected traffic flow was too small to justify a bridge. Now although the traffic flow has increased by a multiple of 4 or 5 times, a bridge is still not possible because of the cost. This seems a dishonest way of getting away with not building a bridge. The County are also proposing to cut the road verges less often over the coming years to improve the conditions for nature. This seems a very good idea, provided any verges used by walkers to get from one footpath to another along the road are still cut, so walkers are not forced on the carriageway. The Northern Chiltern Path Maintenance volunteers have restarted work after a shutdown for Covid lockdown. They are clearing paths in Dacorum and South Bedfordshire. In Dacorum they have cleared paths along the side of the A41 bypass and on Berkhamsted common. If you come across any problems in Dacorum do let me or Clayton Rae know. Also if you know of any stiles in Dacorum I would be interested to hear about them. Email me on [email protected] John Rowe .