A dispute over a road that has lasted since the 1800s has finally been resolved.
Knob Hall Lane in Southport has been the subject of years of disputes between residents and Sefton Council with ownership of the road being left a mystery.
It has now emerged that the responsibility for maintenance and upkeep of the road is down to the residents of the road, rather than the council.
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In a recent report published by Sefton Council they have said that the road has not been "adopted" and as a result is not the responsibility of the local council.
The report said: "The status of Knob Hall Lane has been disputed by land owners, residents and the Council (including its predecessor bodies) since the 1800s and whilst over the years the Council and its predecessor bodies have undertaken some maintenance to the road, this maintenance work has only ever been to a 'keep safe' standard and the road has never been brought up to or maintained to a full adopted highway standard.
"Several attempts have been made by the Council to secure the agreement of property owners with frontages onto the road, for it to be brought up to an adoptable standard, including the necessary agreement to contribute to the cost of these works, after which the Council would have become responsible for its maintenance, but this has been unsuccessful on each occasion.
"Periodically, residents and Councillors have raised concerns and questions about the condition of the road and where responsibility for maintaining it sits.
"Whilst the Council (and its predecessor bodies) position appears to have changed over time, in recent years, its position has been that, as the road is unadopted, it is the collective responsibility of the property owners with frontages onto Knob Hall Lane to maintain the road."
The report concluded that the council will not be taking responsibility for the road going forward.
Outlining the responsibility of property owners, the report said: "Consequently, the Council is not responsible for the maintenance of Knob Hall Lane; and it remains the collective responsibility of the property owners with frontages onto Knob Hall Lane to maintain the road."
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