Home / Lifestyle / Pippa Middleton's Estate Path Row Intensifies
Pippa Middleton's Estate Path Row Intensifies
13 May
Summary
- A 400m path on Pippa Middleton's estate is subject to a access dispute.
- Villagers claim the path is a necessity to avoid unsafe roads.
- A council sided with walkers, proposing the path be officially recorded.
A significant dispute is underway concerning a 400-meter path on the Barton Court estate, owned by Pippa Middleton and her husband James Matthews. The Ramblers are actively campaigning for public access to the path, referred to locally as Mill Lane. This path has been blocked since 2022 when gates were installed by the Matthews, sparking contention with local residents and walking advocates.
Residents claim that Mill Lane serves as a vital and safer alternative to Station Road, which they describe as hazardous due to excessive traffic speeds. Samuel Robins, a lifelong villager, testified that using Mill Lane is a necessity and that he has used it for years without issue until it was blocked. He highlighted the loss of amenity and independence for families and children.
In 2024, West Berkshire District Council ruled in favor of the walkers, recommending that Mill Lane be officially designated as a public right of way. This decision has escalated the dispute, with the Matthews' legal team maintaining that historical signage and previous ownership records indicate the path has always been private property, with no public access allowed.
