A farmer’s wife saw off council enforcement officers who came to clear a disputed public right of way across her family’s land.

Angela Bradley was walking her dog when Kirklees Council officials arrived with two lorries and a digger.

The council had given notice three weeks ago that they would come to clear obstructions from a track which runs up through the yard at Nether Moor Farm in South Crosland.

The Bradley family have blocked the ‘right of way’ with logs, tree trunks, barbed wire and boulders.

Blocked byway at Nether House Farm, South Crosland.

Ramblers and horse-riders say as the track is listed as a right of way on the definitive map and have demanded the council carry out its legal obligation to keep it clear.

Mrs Bradley and husband Edward claim the track was added to the definitive map in error in the 1990s but say the council refuses to review the case.

Mrs Bradley told how two council enforcement officers turned up at 9.45am on Tuesday and work crews lifted two logs onto the back of a lorry.

“This is private land and I refused them access,” said Mrs Bradley. “They moved two logs from the bottom of the lane but then there was some discussion and they put the logs back and left.

Angela Bradley of Nether Moor Farm, who is in a stand off with the council over a right of way
Angela Bradley of Nether Moor Farm, who is in a stand off with the council over a right of way

“There was a discussion about their paperwork not being in order and they left after about 20 minutes. It was all quite amicable.”

The last time council enforcement officers turned up in November last year the couple also stood firm.

Police attended and the couple’s rights of way consultant Andy Dunlop was arrested for wilful obstruction after refusing to move his car.

Kirklees Bridleways Group wants the track re-opening and is pushing the council to act.

Mrs Bradley said the couple had repeatedly asked for a formal meeting with the council over the last two years but it had always been refused.

Andrea Whitham and her horse Sidney find byway blocked at Nether House Farm, South Crosland
Andrea Whitham and her horse Sidney find byway blocked at Nether House Farm, South Crosland

The family say they will remain vigilant in case the enforcement officers return.

“We don’t know what is going to happen next,” said Mrs Bradley.