Ramblers today accused a council of betraying the public by not insisting controversial property tycoon Nicholas Hoogstraten clears a footpath on land over his country estate.

Members of the Ramblers' Association have written to East Sussex County Council demanding it ensures the path near Uckfield is open for use.

They have been trying for more than a decade to gain access to the path, which runs over the High Cross Estate at Palehouse Common, near Framfield, owned by millionaire Mr Hoogstraten.

But the right of way is barred by a barn, old refrigeration units and a barbed wire fence which was put up by Mr Hoogstraten, who has dubbed the ramblers "the great unwashed" and "the scum of the earth".

Earlier this year a firm called Rarebargain, which actually owns the path, was fined £ 1,600 by Lewes magistrates for illegally blocking the path after it was taken to court by the association.

Stipendiary magistrate James Shrimpton ordered the route to be cleared within 90 days.

East Sussex County Council began enforcement action but this was halted after a solicitor representing Mr Hoogstraten offered to establish a new route close to the footpath, which was opened earlier this month.

But the Ramblers' Association have rejected this compromise and are accusing the council of colluding with Mr Hoogstraten.

Spokeswoman Kate Ashbrook said: "It's unacceptable that people like Mr Hoogstraten can get away with blocking a path for more than a decade.

"The proposed diversion would leave all the obstructions in place and would divert the path on to a crazy zig-zag route.

"The council has a legal duty to keep the path open for the public but instead is conniving with the Hoogstraten estate."

She added that if the council does not ensure the path is cleared, it is sending out a message to all landowners that it is okay to block public footpaths.

But Uckfield county councillor Mike Skinner said: "The Ramblers are being hypocrites.

'The footpath was blocked for 15 years before this started and no one complained.

"Three other footpath diversions in the district have opened so far this year and they have not complained about them.

"This is not about Framfield footpath, Uckfield or the county council.

"It is about huge egos and political posturing by people with a national agenda.

"The Ramblers hadn't heard of Uckfield until Hoogstraten mentioned it on television.

"They hadn't been here before this and, except for coming down a couple of times to make their point, they haven't been here since."