A Netherfield resident has slammed plans to extend the closure of a section of footpath that leads to a nearby nature reserve and retail park as ‘infuriating’.
Mark Christopher, 48, said the closure of the public footpath prevented him from getting exercise at the nearby Netherfield Lagoons that he said was ‘required too improve his mental health’.
A notice placed at a section of the the footpath that runs between Chandos Street and Colwick Loop Road revealed it will now be closed until March 2025 – and that the closure could be extended if the new housing development nearby fell behind schedule.
It did also say the closure could be lifted earlier if works continue at pace.
Mr Christopher emailed Gedling Eye to express his frustration with the situation.
“Nobody wanted this development, it’s houses being built on land of the old football pitches which held memories for me playing there.
“But in the name of progress I tried to forget about it, but it is now impacting my life as a shortcut to the lovely Netherfield Lagoons has now been cut off and it was key to improving my health.
“I struggle with motivation anyway and now having to take a longer route is just putting me off.
“People who use the allotments said the route was also important if you had a plot at the far end of the site as it gives them access and are upset about the closure.”
Mr Christopher said a friend had emailed Nottinghamshire County Council about this and they said the authority was asking Persimmon to ‘open it as soon as they could’ due to the importance of linking the town with the nature reserve.
