The Great Divide

A fence across the road cuts off private homes in Oakland Drive from those in Biddulph Way and the Deer Park estate. It allows pedestrian access, but prevents traffic travelling from Gloucester Road to New Street.

Now the battle has begun to remove the fence, and the social barrier it has created.

Campaigner Sylvia Pick, of Woodfield Road, Deer Park, sees it as an obstruction that must go.

"It's basically a snob argument," she said. "I think the people on the Oakland Drive side are very happy because it keeps them protected from no-good louts like me, but people on this side don't see why they should be treated like pariahs."

With fellow campaigner Jim Cargill, of Biddulph Way, she is trying on behalf of the residents of Deer Park to have the fence removed, arguing that the right of access was established under outline planning permission granted in 1972.

But some Deer Park residents want it to stay, especially those with young families.

It might be easier for car drivers, said Sarah Mowabray, of Katherines Walk, but it would be dangerous for children playing on bikes and skateboards.

Elizabeth and Owen Florence, who have seven children, live two doors from the fence on Biddulph Way and said they would move if it was taken down.

Their five-year-old son, Ryan, who has epilepsy, plays in the cul-de-sac, where they can keep an eye on him.

"It's a safe place for the children to play. The little ones can't go to the park because the big kids pick on them," said Mrs Florence.

Mr Florence said that, even with the barrier, some people drove too fast.

He praised the work of next-door-neighbour Tracy Mason, who planted a well-kept flowerbed along the fence on the estate's side. It contrasts sharply with land on the "posh" side of the divide, where weeds grow through the tarmac.

"She has worked hard out there to make it nice. Tracy Mason on the Biddulph Way side of the fence

It wouldn't be fair to her to take it away," he said.

Mrs Mason agreed.

"It would be a death trap if they opened it up. There are people who nip through on motorbikes already," she said.

This barrier divides a community - which is now split over moves to take it down

AFTER the Deer Park estate was built opposite the older private homes in Oakland Drive, access rights through the estates were established in 1972. But the original hedge remained.

When Beryl and Orwin Lloyd-Williams moved into Oakland Drive 16 years ago, the hedge had been replaced by a locked gate, for the use of the emergency services.

"At the time, Biddulph Way was the only access to Deer Park, but now there is another access at Martins Way, so there is no need for one here," said Mrs Lloyd-Williams.

"There is no one in Oakdale Drive who wants it open. We have fought it all along."

In 1993, the gate was removed, and cars and lorries began using the through-road.

"That summer the fumes in our garden were terrible. We had lorries, horse-boxes and coaches coming through and people making a nuisance at night, doing a run-around," she said.

Fifteen months later, Hereford and Worcester County Council took the case to the High Court to get the road closed. They were successful, and in 1995 the fence was erected, dividing the communities completely.

There is currently an application before Herefordshire Council for the removal of the fence, garden and other obstructions, but County Councillor Don Rule said opening the road would require the reversal of a High Court judgement made in July 1995.

"The residents went to the Magistrates' Court to get it opened, but Hereford and Worcester County Council took it to the High Court to close it and our solicitors have decided that judgement can not be challenged," he said.