As a former footpath secretary for the West Sussex area of the Ramblers’ Association, I was amazed at the proposal to eliminate a local footpath and move it to a so-called convenient position to enable Tesco to have larger premises. In the past I have been faced with type of problem with people buying a property and then wishing to eliminate a footpath that had been there for many, many years. These footpaths have been walked by many people over the years, and it is totally wrong for a majority of walkers to suffer this loss of amenity because of the selfish interest of an owner who was aware of the situation when purchasing an area of land/house. Tesco, because of its wealth and size, is in effect riding roughshod over the residents of Worthing who have enjoyed this age-old amenity for many years.
As it already possesses one of the largest shopping areas in Worthing, why the demand for a much bigger area?
The local council, which supported the formation of the South Downs National Park, should be rather ashamed of the decision they arrived at over this affair.
Let’s also give thought for the number of people who will lose their employment from locally run shops.
Frank Pidgeon
West Avenue, Worthing
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