Goliath Wins: BMW Prevails In UK Court Battle Concerning Footpath Closure

In what has been described as a David (Ramblers’ Association) vs Goliath (BMW) legal battle, UK district judge, Witney, decided to allow the car-giant and Oxfordshire County Council to close a 2000 year-old-path that stood in the way of development at MINI’s plant in Cowley, Oxfordshire.

The Ramblers’ Association (a group that represents and promotes walking) supports that up to 400 people use the path every day. Although BMW said that they will fund an alternative path, the walkers' advocacy group said it was ‘severely disappointed. -Continued after the jump

Adrian Morris, head of the RA’s footpath team commented: “We are bitterly disappointed that BMW will be allowed to close this community’s historic path, and deny hundreds of local residents per day a safe and quiet means of accessing work and the countryside beyond. The judge’s decision to close this safe and pleasant path flies in the face of the fight against obesity and climate change by encouraging people off their local paths and back into their cars”.

Link: RA