CARRINGTON Parish Council is spearheading efforts to re-open a well-used route that passes Manchester United's training ground.

Messenger revealed a fortnight ago that the HIMOR group had closed a half-mile private road on its land, between Isherwood Road and Birch Road at Carrington, which pedestrians, cyclists and horse riders have used for decades as a route from Flixton to Dunham and Altrincham.

The parish council and representatives of groups including the Ramblers Association and British Horse Riding Society met HIMOR bosses recently, but failed to get them to reverse the closure decision.

Now, the parish council will lead a legal fight to get the route classified as a definitive right of way.

Sid Neild, chairman of Carrington Parish Council, said: "Having been in talks with MP Kate Green, and the local Trafford councillors, the parish council and the other interested parties feel that we have a very strong case, given the evidence of usage over the past six or seven decades, to get this recognised as a public right of way.

"We are asking for everyone that uses Birch Road and Carrington Moss to complete an Evidence of Usage form and then return them to Carrington Parish Council. This needs to be done as a single application from the parish council.

"Given all these facts the parish council feel that an immediate opening of Birch Road to walkers, cyclists and horse riders would help while the legal situation is resolved."

He added: "At a recent meeting with Himor Group we gave numerous accounts from people who have used Birch Road and Carrington Moss for both access to work and recreational purposes for over 60 years.

"We also showed evidence of usage of Birch Road further back to approximately 1875."

Land property giant HIMOR claims it it has been forced to close the route to prevent "anti-social behaviour that has caused health and safety concerns."

It says people have been fly-tipping, digging for bottles, and motor-cross riding on the land.

The One Trafford Partnership - a collaboration between private contractor Amey and Trafford Council - confirmed that users of the route could put in a claim.

A spokesperson for the partnership said: “There is a legal process by which the public may gather evidence and statements and apply for a path to be a definitive right of way.

"Each user should not submit their evidence forms individually but as part of a single application. A pack giving details of the application process will be supplied on written request to Highways, One Trafford, Bridgewater House, 148, Manchester Road, Carrington, M41 4QN.

"The process is a legal procedure and any user evidence submitted to the Local Highway Authority, would be considered by the council along with all other available evidence before the council makes its decision.”

* People who want to submit evidence of using the route should send it to Carrington Parish Council at 11 Ackers Lane, Carrington  M31 4BF.