Samaritans Way

PRESS RELEASES

News items added August 14th

Somerset County Council compensates Farm Worker following a complaint to the Local Government Ombudsman

Graham Hoyle is a farm worker who designed a long distance walk through Somerset called the Samaritans Way South West in order to aid the rural economy.

Graham has been awarded £500 compensation from Somerset County Council (SCC), who initially had agreed to support the 100 mile route. However, in 2007 they requested Ordnance Survey (OS) to remove the route from their maps, without consulting Graham Hoyle or the Samaritans Way South West Association - a body set up to promote the walk.

They also failed to fully check their own department files and failed to investigate and identify any interested parties (see letter dated 6 April 2010, received on 21 May 2010)

Mr Hoyle commented on the decision- I spent 17 years designing, way marking and clearing obstructions on public rights of way, at my own cost, to produce a beautiful walk and guide book from Bristol to Lynton that supports tourism and the local farming communities. I was pleased when the route appeared on the OS maps but devastated to find it had been removed by Somerset County Council, at the request of Exmoor and Quantock Authorities without any consultations.

The footpath removal is totally unjustified as it is shown as green diamond markings on a map designed for recreational purposes which does the authorities no harm but is of great benefit to the route and the local economy. I would have preferred that the route be reinstated on the OS Maps rather than receive the compensation for the Councils poor administration.

Naturally, the £500 will be paid to the Samaritans Charity, and no personal money or profit goes to any individual. In addition, all profit from sales of the guide book goes to the local Samaritans.'

Further Information

  1. Letter dated 6 April 2010 incorrectly dated? (received 21-5-2010) from Somerset CC
  2. See report from Graham Hoyle entitled 'Is a recreational Path Likely to Remain on Ordinance Survey Mapping' May 2010
  3. Visit the website http://www.samaritansway-southwest.org.uk/

Neil Burlton
Chairman Samaritans Way South West Association
Tel: 07760 346453