A BRIDLEWAY on farmers’ land in Darwen could go ahead as a committee heard there was ‘sufficient evidence’ of a right of way, according to a highways boss.

George Bell, associate director at Capita, which provides the Public Rights of Way Service for Blackburn with Darwen Council, said planning and highways councillors decided to make an order to formalise the route after looking at the evidence.

Landowners are ‘devastated’ about the proposals as they say it will disrupt their livelihoods. The two farmers claim plans to create a public right of way from Victoria Buildings to Belthorn will cut off access to animals and jeopardise security.

But Mr Bell said: “This is part of ongoing work, mainly funded by Natural England, which we are supporting to create a feeder route, a long distance bridleway which runs through Bolton, Burnley and our borough and will feed into the Pennine Bridleway National Trail.

“Having looked at the evidence presented to them, the planning and highways committee accepted that there is sufficient evidence to allege that a right of way existed and resolved to make an order to formalise the route.”

People have until May 3 to raise objections.