A NEW public right of way has been opened after locals were suddenly banned from passing through the area in June 2012.

The new footpath in Kitty’s Wood, between Roddymoor and Crook, was used by dog-walkers and ramblers for generations before the land was sold and access prohibited.

Durham County Council has now secured a public right of way through the land and has taken over maintenance and drainage and will be adding new gateways and signposts.

Tow Law County Councillor John Hart said: “Kitty’s Wood is a beautiful part of the world, and it is only right that it should be open to everyone.

“This was never a matter of lines on maps but about the people of Roddymoor, Billy Row and the surrounding area and their shared sense of community, history and place.

“Local people have fought for this for a very long time and finally securing a public right of way through the woods is something the community can be very proud of.”

He added: “During the election campaign I promised the people of Roddymoor that if I was elected the first thing I would do would do would be to put this right – and after an awful lot of hard work it’s great to be able to deliver on that promise.”