I can heartily recommend residents of Formby and others to take a walk or cycle ride along the Cheshire Line trail, it's an absolute treasure on our doorstep. With the weather as it is, sunny and very low winds the trail is a joy to use.
But take care, I came across a resident of Maghull this week who had fallen from her bicycle into a ten foot drainage ditch, she was fortunate to have escaped with only scratches and bruises.
I have reported the to matter to Sefton MBC officers who assure me that the site of the accident is actually in West Lancashire, I'm not convinced the Ordinance Survey map suggests it lies in Sefton.
[ Since I first wrote about this some three hours ago I have received more information from Sefton, It's now 5.45pm Friday 26th September]
I am grateful to the officer concerned for a very prompt response. I am now convinced that the footpath/way is in West Lancashire, but the field and the field drainage ditch are probably in Sefton. Given Health and Safety Law I'm not sure that anyone can actually ignore the requirements of the legislation, 'if you know of a hazard' you must act to reduce it, even members of the public are required by the law, it's a 'duty' to use the legal jargon.
I returned to the scene today and this is my short video report on the scene, please excuse my faltering commentary, I will get better. I'm afraid I also got the name of the road wrong, it's Plex Moss Lane which a little research on Google maps put right. Nevertheless the video clearly shows that the ditch is on the Sefton side of the way/road and this raises questions for both the land owner and Sefton MBC in my view. It also show how narrow a space there is between the locked gate and the edge of the path, watch the second cyclist, there's only room for him and there's no barrier between him and a 10 foot drop into the ditch.
