Formal work begins to protect 'much-loved' Brixham walking route

A “much-loved” walking route in Brixham is a step closer to being saved following a key decision by local authority leaders.

The future of the permissive path at the Gillard Road Nature Reserve was thrown into uncertainty after its previous owners, the Torbay Coast and Countryside Trust, entered liquidation. 

With the land now up for sale, concerns had grown that public access to the popular trail could be lost. 

However, at a Torbay Council Cabinet meeting this week, the council's leader, Cllr David Thomas, confirmed that formal steps are now being taken to establish the route as a permanent Public Right of Way.

Brixham Town Council had previously called on the local authority to intervene, fearing that a private sale could see the gates closed to the community. 

A spokesperson for the town council described the news as a “really positive move towards protecting a valued and much-used route” that remains an important link for both residents and visitors. 

They praised Torbay Council for listening and working collaboratively to understand how important this specific path is to the identity of Brixham.

The legal transition to a Public Right of Way involves a formal process that will be considered by Torbay Council at a meeting in May.

In the meantime, the council's Chief Executive has been asked to begin the necessary technical work, and the liquidators handling the sale of the land have already been informed of the council's intentions.