A PATH to nowhere has been described by a Branscombe man as a waste of money which he believes should have been spent on improving dilapidated roads in the village. Devon County Council funded the installation of the footpath near the derelict Three Hor

A PATH to nowhere has been described by a Branscombe man as a "waste of money" which he believes should have been spent on improving dilapidated roads in the village.

Devon County Council funded the installation of the footpath near the derelict Three Horseshoes Pub on the A3052 in early March to the amazement of Derrick Lewis, who says he has never seen anyone walk along that stretch of road in the 20 years he has lived in the village.

Mr Lewis, 77, of Seaward Close, said: "I think this is a complete waste of money. "When you look at the state of our roads-they are diabolical and yet someone authorised the spending of this money on the footpath."

The path, which runs for approximately 200 yards, was built to link the footpath from Borcome Farm in the north, across the A3052 southwards to Rocken Hayne but Mr Lewis believes the upgraded path is pointless.

He added: "If people want to walk in the countryside, they are prepared and wear the correct footwear. It wouldn't make a difference if they were walking on gravel or grass."

A DCC spokesman said the funding was recently made available to improve access and the safety of paths on this stretch of road.

She added: "Two schemes have been carried out. One is to better connect two existing public footpaths which run between Southleigh and Branscombe that miss each other where they meet the A3052 near to the Three Horseshoes pub by improvements to the verge.

"Also Devon County Council has negotiated with the farmer at the Three Horseshoes Farm who kindly agreed to create a new public bridleway which avoids the need for riders to use a short stretch of the A3052 between that farm and the Seaton Road.