Mill Hill Avenue, former path to Kings School
These are tough ones to spot, but looking at some old maps and then following that up with a couple of photographs indicates that at least two fantastic footpaths have been stolen in Pontefract, both of them used to join schools with their pupils, both now closed to leave an inconvenient detour for those who would have used them. Look carefully at the pictures and you will see where the kerb stones are different. These are coincident with the foootpaths marked on the old Ordnance Survey map, the samplew taken being that 1:25,000 map last updated in 1979
What should be done? Tough one this, obviously the people whose house values have been increased by comandeering the former footpaths would not like to have what they reasonably thought was their land taken away, nevertheless that land would be of far greater utility as a footpath/shortcut. Failing alternatives these footpaths should be re-comissioned to cater those who are currently 'losing out' (reparation) and some measure of compensation offered to those individuals who by doing so would 'lose out'.
Mill Hill Avenue, former path to Kings School
Cobblers Lane, former path to three schools
Holy Family School, Pontefract, picture taken from closed footpath
Map showing locations of closed footpaths (with magnified inserts)