A GROUP of Deer Park residents are battling to keep the barrier that divides Biddulph Way from Oakland Drive, in advance of a Government planning inquiry that could lead to it being removed.

More than 50 people on the estate have signed a petition following fears that a dangerous rat run could be created if the roads are opened.

Petition organiser Tracy Martin said: "I live right by the barrier. Mums and old people use the gap in the barrier as a safe short cut to get into town, but it won't be safe if they open it out.

"I'm the mother of five children and, of course, I'm concerned about their safety. If the roads are opened. It would create a rat run."

Fellow campaigner Mary McBride, of Elmsdale Road, said: "Substantial through traffic would create a severe safety hazard, having regard also to the number of children who play on both sides of the fence."

The campaigners have presented their petition to Ledbury Town Council, which has been invited to make representations to the Planning Inspectorate.

The planning inquiry itself will take place in the Council Chamber at Hereford Town Hall on March 23 from 10am.

The appeal was made to the Secretary of State by Deer Park residents James Cargill and Sylvia Pick "against the decision of Herefordshire Council to refuse in part to grant a Certificate of Lawful Use or Development".

If granted in full, it could lead to the barrier's removal, without any further planning permission.

Miss Pick said: "I have no sympathy with their point of view. They know there are two public highways dedicated to the use of the public for all highway purposes.

"They have suited themselves to create a play space, but if they suggest that this is a play area when there are garage entrances on to that road, then their thinking is inadequate."

In a letter to Ledbury Town Council, the chairman of Hereford-shire Council, Coun Peter Harling, said a certificate of lawful development applied for by Mr Cargill and Miss Pick, and gained in part last year, did not place a legal obligation on Herefordshire Council to open the roads.

He said: "The Planning Inspector appointed to decide on the appeal into this certificate stated unusually in his decision letter of November 6 that the existence of such as certificate, or planning permission, cannot be used to require the linking of the two roads to be carried out."

He added opening the highway would involve the purchase of private land close to the barrier.

Coun Harling added: "This strip of land is still privately owned and registered in the name of a property company and held on the basis that it is not for vehicular access."