Walkers' groups demand tor access

Vixen Tor has been closed to the public since 2003

Campaigners hoping to regain public access to a well-known Dartmoor landmark have submitted evidence to Devon County Council.

The Ramblers Association, British Mountaineering Group and Vixen Tor Action Group are demanding the right to walk on and around Vixen Tor.

The current landowner, Mary Alford, ended access to the site in 2003.

The tor had been open to the public for 30 years previously, but she said she feared being held liable for accidents.

This is a private farm. We are just maintaining our boundaries Daniel Alford, farmer

Bruce Sparrow from the Ramblers' Association said: "We have submitted evidence supporting four Rights of Way Claims that clearly show that over the last 60 years, public access to this beautiful part of our national heritage has been the rule, rather than the exception."

"Access to this much loved site must be restored."

Long-running saga

Daniel Alford, who farms the land with his mother, said: "As far as it stands there has never been a footpath. There was only a permissive access agreement between the previous landowner and Dartmoor National Park.

There have been mass trespasses at the site

"This is a private farm. We are just maintaining our boundaries and trying to farm traditionally."

The fight to gain access to the tor has been a long-running saga.

Previous actions, including mass trespasses and the attempted invocation of Right to Roam legislation, have failed.

Lawyers advised the National Parks Authority, which has responsibility for Dartmoor, that a compulsory purchase order was also likely to fail.

Devon County Council has now agreed to look at the situation again.