> Brooks Drive in Hale Barns, Trafford, had been freely been used by people on foot, cycle and horseback for over 100 years until an impenetrable fence was erected across the way in June 2019. This prompted the submission on behalf of the Society of an application to have the route recognised as a public right of way. The processing of the application led to a public inquiry in July 2025 in which the supporters and objectors for the right of way presented their evidence, with the Society funding a consultant and barrister to make the supporters’ case. Following the inquiry the Order recording Brooks Drive between Hale Road and Thorley Lane as a Restricted Byway was confirmed. However, the errant fence is still in place preventing full use of the route and the Society is now chasing Trafford Council to have the fence removed as soon as possible and re-open the route.