I took a run out there at 11am this morning (27th june '09) and took the following photograph...
We had problems on this lane back on 17th January '09 when we managed to persuade the owner of the campervan to move the lorry that was blocking the 'road' then. Please refer to the Ride Report 17th Jan '09.
Anyhow, I armed myself with detailed maps and a copy of the e-mail from Public Rights of Way, Environment, Economy and Culture, Lucombe House, County Hall, Exeter EX2 4QW, saying that "This means that pedestrians, bicycles, horses (and carts), as well as motorised vehicles can all use the route" and reported the obstruction at Tavistock Police Station.
I also rang Public Rights of Way who've asked me to report it to them as well!
Result...PC Kevin Reed, Tavistock Police Station, rang me to say that he'd been to see Mrs Crocker (Mr Crocker was unavailable/out) and had a perfectly normal conversation (no heated arguments) with her and told her that he was perfectly satisfied that this is a legal highway and that it may not be blocked by a lorry. The final word was that if the lorry is not moved a commercial removal lorry would be brought in to remove it at the owners expense.
The downside of all this is that Mr Crocker is believed to have rung Caroline Gatterell at PROW in Exeter but she was unavailable at the time and he was asked to leave a number where he could be contacted. When Caroline rang the number an automated voice cut in to say that the phone she was calling would not accept incoming calls! I presume someone transcribed the number incorrectly. Unfortunately Mr Crocker doesn't appear in the phone book so unless you know his number you cannot get hold of him.
The gate at the Western end of this lane - where it meets the road from Burnford to Stone - has been chained and padlocked. After talking to Grasshopper I've reported it to the authorities and sent an e-mail to Caroline. We will get this one open permanently!
Grasshopper on his old Kwacker next to the sign on this lane that states "Road to Mana Butts". This sign is at SX49560 78142.
This is definitely locked!
This lane now comes under the jurisdiction of North Area Highways! Bruce Pedrick is the Engineer handling it.
As you can see from the photographs (sorry for the quality but it they were taken with my phone as I forgot the camera!) now there is a lorry (I think it's the same one we came across when th elane was originally blocked in Jan '09 -see Ride Report 17th Jan '09), Reg No: V981 EOD, blocking the Grendon Farm end and the gate is still padlock & chained at the Western end!
Southern end at Grendon Cottage (Sth of Farm by a few yards)
The Western end of the lane showing industrial chains and a padlock holding the gate firmly shut!