THE Blue Anchor footpath controversy took a dramatic turn this week when over 50 protestors marched through the site, ignoring barriers and ‘Keep Out’ notices, in a show of solidarity against the closure.

Chalet owners watched from their windows as the procession, headed by local resident Jim Butterworth, wound its way past their homes on Monday morning. No attempts were made to halt the demonstration.

As exclusively reported in the Free Press on November 10, the dispute could take up to 17 years to resolve if there is no Government intervention.

The footpath, which is the last 300 yards of the Dunster-Blue Anchor Steam Coast Trail, has been barred to the public since last February by the Blue Anchor Chalet Owners’ Association, which claims it runs through their private property.

The protest was sparked by the ruling of Somerset County Council’s Regulation Committee not to fast-track a decision on the path despite a petition signed by over 120 long-term users.

Protestors, alerted by social media, gathered outside the site and joined Mr Butterworth on a peaceful walk along the barred footpath.

“Once a public footpath, always a footpath,” he said. “It is our footpath, and has been for many years. The law is on our side and no chalet owners challenged us on that.”

The protest was joined by Graham Boswell, a trustee of the Friends of the Steam Coast Trail, who said: “We have been working with the chalet owners for the past five years but everything we’ve offered has been turned down ...

“The local community and the district council are on board with us and we are hoping that the chalet owners, most of whom live off-site, will eventually change their minds.”

Full story and other people’s views in the Free Press.

Photos: George Ody