A GROUP of Bordon residents are up in arms about the state of a footpath in their area. The Herald recently reported that builders were asked to remove a footpath next to 38 Maple Leaf Drive after it was found to be in the wrong place. But nearby residents are furious that a "lovely" path was taken up at Whitehill Town Council's request only to be replaced by an "illegal eyesore".

One resident of Maple Leaf Drive who wished to remain annonymous felt that the problems began when the parking area was sold on and a house built on it.

"Before the house was built there was a car park and footpath that led out on to the main road (A325). The builders installed a footpath around the house, skirting the original route, which was not acceptable to the council.

"Now someone has illegally taken bolt cutters to the fence between Maple Leaf Drive and the main road for direct access, wearing out a mud path, and apparently that's all right," the resident remarked.

She believed that the original path created by the builders was very well made and provided a safer route.

"The path was marked out with proper fencing, wooden posts and gravel put down, it was done very well, but instead of a beautiful path we are left with this eyesore, which is a great nuisance.

"I want to know what the council are going to do about it. The path was only put down for about a day before it was taken up again, It just makes no sense," the resident added.

"Why can't we have something done about that mess? Virtually all residents are less than amused. The area is worsening, it is not a proper path and the fence is getting really bad.

"Residents put up slow- growing fir trees a couple of years ago as sound barriers to block out the noise from the A325 and we had to dig them out because of the council.

"We just get nowhere with them; the footpath issue is the final straw in an ongoing saga."

Residents of Maple Leaf Drive would like the fence to be closed off and the original path reinstated.

"We have had to put up with the house being built on the car park, but the path issue needs to be sorted. It should have been a condition when the house was built that a path would be provided," the resident said.

However, Whitehill Town Council maintains that the path was not a designated footpath according to the planning permission which was granted to the developer.

The town council said that the fence between Maple Leaf Drive and the A325, which has been cut for some time, is the responsibility of East Hampshire District Council and the residents should contact the EHDC about it.