OUTRAGED residents are to hold a public meeting in Levington to discuss work done to fence in walkers and which it is claimed has made a riverside path dangerous.
OUTRAGED residents are to hold a public meeting in Levington to discuss work done to fence in walkers and which it is claimed has made a riverside path dangerous.
Guardians of the county's heaths and coast have put up the fencing, which has been branded as ugly and destroying an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty with some of the most striking views in Suffolk.
There have also been fears voiced the fencing could harm deer in the area.
One walker said: “I have seen groups of 50 to 80 deer in this area - this fencing could stop them roaming the area, but could also be dangerous if they tried to jump or clamber over it.”
Hundreds of posts and steel wire have been placed around meadows and pathways on the Ipswich side of Levington Creek on the banks of the River Orwell.
Campaigners say paths have been narrowed and seriously damaged to create what they say is “a total eyesore”.
The Keep Levington Beautiful Campaign has now been set up in a bid to stop the project altogether.
Campaigner June Langford said: “Discussions have taken place with Veronica Falconer, a senior Suffolk Coastal councillor, and she has been to visit the path to see why we felt it had been made narrow and dangerous, especially on the cliff edge.
“She has agreed to chair a public meeting and is hoping to get council officials to attend.”
The date and venue of the meeting is still being decided.
The Suffolk Coast and Heaths Unit carried put up the fencing because of the threat to roosting birds caused by walkers and their dogs leaving the footpath and taking a short-cut across the meadow.
Campaigners though say they have seen very few walkers allowing their dogs to roam off the lead.
Communications officer for the coast and heaths unit, Malcolm Farrow said consultation had been held with the Levington and Stratton Hall Parish Council, as well as site meetings with the landowner, Suffolk County Council's public rights of way team and parish council members.
What do you feel about the fences? Write to Your Letters, Evening Star, 30 Lower Brook Street, Ipswich, IP4 1AN, or e-mail EveningStarLetters@eveningstar.co.uk
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