GRAYSHOTT residents have called on Hampshire County Council to shelve its plan to extend a footpath to benefit eight homes and redirect the funds to provide a permanent repair to Boundary Road.

Less than £9,000 is now needed to raise the £80,000 needed to fix the “desperate” state of the access road to Grayshott Surgery.

Residents also objected that they were not consulted on the plan to provide a footpath from Kiln Way to Firway and are concerned it would result in further urbanisation of the Local Gap between Grayshott and Headley Down.

Calling on the council to “abort this contract”, a Grayshott Society Committee spokesman said: “We were angry and surprised to learn the extension of the footpath that will service eight dwellings on Firway, off Headley Road, is now going ahead.

“This is despite the fact that when our district councillor Ferris Cowper notified both the parish council and the Grayshott Society some months ago, he was told neither organisation was in favour of the footpath because it represented a poor use of scarce resources and would result in further urbanisation of the local gap between Grayshott and Headley Down.

“We feel strongly this is not a proportional expense, when these funds could go to other projects which would benefit many more people in the village and its surroundings – such as the 12,000 patients that have to use part of Boundary Road to get to the Surgery.

“Although we appreciate Hampshire CC has already promised funding for the Boundary Road upgrade, additional funding is still needed, so this money would be better spent on Boundary Road than on a footpath likely to receive negligible use.

“It is simply unacceptable funds, which we are constantly been told are in such short supply, and in the face of clear local opposition, should be spent so inappropriately. We will be putting pressure on relevant councillors and the county council to abort this contract.”

Grayshott Parish Council told The Herald: “We are aware work to install a footpath from Kiln Way to Firway is likely to start in September. This work is part of a minor works programme being undertaken by Hampshire CC and was included as result of a process where bids are made by elected representatives for projects on behalf of local residents.

“Grayshott Parish Council has at no time been included in that process.

“The parish council became aware of the ongoing nature of the project but believed this had been shelved because of the lack of funding.

“The parish council determined in January 2016 that it did not wish the project to continue, because it was an inappropriate use of scarce resources and we have concerns about ‘urbanisation’.

“The parish council believed it had made its reservations clear to Hampshire CC, but this appears not to be the case. We are actively pursuing the possibility this project is put on hold while there is a further review.”

Hampshire’s executive member for environment and transport councillor Rob Humby said: “The council is aware of comments from the community, including the parish council, about the proposed final section of the footway in Grayshott. Officers will shortly be meeting with the local county councillor in the area to consider the best way forward.”