1.         In 1984 the 1802 Diversion Order was the main evidence which lead to Staffordshire County Council adopting Ingestre Road. Following an initial payment by all local residents, including Sandwell MBC, towards the initial repair of the road to Highway Standards, the County Council have been responsible for the maintenance of the road since then. Prior to this all local residents including Sandwell MDC, were responsible for paying for the maintenance of the road.

            The validity of the 1802 Diversion Order was never challenged at this time by any of the local residents or Sandwell MBC.

2.         The Parish Council has always opposed the use of Trent Drive and the associated track from Trent Drive to Ingestre Home Farm by unauthorised vehicles. Residents at Birch Hall and Trent Lodge have a right of vehicle access along these tracks, alongwith some Ingestre Residents who have this access written into the deeds of their properties.

            In the past to try and stop unauthorised vehicles using these tracks, the Parish Council suggested putting up a gate which would be kept locked, or periodically locked, and/or manned, to stop unauthorised use. However this offer was not supported by the authorised users so was abandoned.

 
3.         The Parish Council has always supported the designation of Trent Drive and its’ connection to Ingestre Road, being included on the Definitive Map as Public Bridleways for use by walkers, cyclists and horse riders. It has always been totally opposed to the recreation of routes which no longer exist on the ground, e.g. through the gardens of some of the Home Farm Court properties, or in front of Ingestre Hall to connect with Hanyards Lane.

            The Parish Council has always supported the use of the track in front of Ingestre Home Farm as a Bridleway, as the reasonable alternative following the building of Ingestre farm some time after the 1802 Diversion Order was agreed.

 4.      The ownership of Trent Drive and the associated track from Trent Drive to Ingestre Home Farm has never been established by the Parish Council. In particular none of the adjacent landowners have been willing to accept ownership which would include paying for the maintenance of the tracks and for the maintenance of Trent River Bridge.

            It is understood that this situation arose as when the Ingestre Estate was sold in the 1960s some thick lines were drawn between adjacent lots, leaving the ownership of the tracks between them in question.

5.         Trent River Bridge currently carries a public footpath from the A51 to it’s centre, the boundary of Ingestre and Hopton Parishes.  The existence of this public right of way supports the inclusion of Trent Drive and associated routes as at least a public footpath as a through route must have existed at some time in the past. The County Council currently has a responsibility to ensure that people on foot can cross to the centre of the bridge from Hopton Parish.

            If Trent Drive was officially designated as a Bridleway, the County Council would only be required to maintain the bridge so that it could be used by people on foot, horse riders and cyclists. They would have no duty to maintain it to the standard required for vehicle use. However, it might then be possible for the Parish Council to seek grant aid for its repair. This is not possible at present.