ANGRY residents of a Haverhill street halted a developer’s plans to create a footpath through a popular children’s play area by stepping into the path of a digger.

At 7.15am on Monday, residents of Ruffles Road combined efforts to prevent contractors smashing down a wooden fence to pave the way for the path that would go from their street into neighbouring Mustard’s Gapp and on into Manor Road.

Protestors are upset that the plans by developer Taylor Wimpey will take the path through what is currently an enclosed area of green space used by children as a safe place to play, potentially exposing them to harm and the street to a possible increase in crime.

Paula Glenister, who lives close to the intended pathway’s route, said: “If the path goes through it will put the children of Ruffles Road in danger.

“They could wander off.

“Unsavoury people would have access to an area that isn’t well viewed and so could lead to the children being vulnerable.”

Although Taylor Wimpey claim the footpath is a condition of the planning approval gained for the area when it was built five years ago Mrs Glenister said nobody wants it or has requested it and only one house received a letter saying work was scheduled to start.

A statement from St Edmundsbury Council said: “Wimpey can ask the council for planning permission not to go ahead with building the path.”

More than 50 people have signed a petition against the footpath and MP Richard Spring and local councillors have been contacted for their support.

A spokesman for Taylor Wimpey said the new pathway would be landscaped to make it a suitable play area, adding: “Given residents’ concerns and the council’s clarification regarding an application for amended planning permission we are reconsidering our position.

“We have asked our contractors to stop work for now and we would be pleased to meet with residents to find the best way forward.”

Mrs Glenister vowed to continue to fight the path being built, saying: “Whatever we can do, we will to prevent that path.

“Even if it goes on for years we will block that path.”

steve.barton@haverhillecho.com