WALKERS and ramblers are hop ping mad about Dorset County Council plans to bypass the coast path, which they say are being rushed through without consulta tion. Members of the Coast Path Action Group (CPAG) say the council has come up with a major diversion pro posal, like a bolt from the blue after years of inaction over the path, sec tions of which have been closed near Lyme Regis under health and safety rules since a landslip in 2001. CPAG member Judith Dearlove, of South Poorton, said: The county council is bulldozing this bizarre plan through without proper consultation and with little notice considering their last three years of inaction, pre varication and procrastination. The county councils rights of way committee is holding a site visit next Thursday to investigate the possible creation of a new footpath that cross es Lyme Regis golf club land some dis tance from the coast. The committee will then meet later that day to vote for or against creating the new path. Members of the group, including Lyme Regis town councillor Nigel Clarke, say the proposed new path takes walkers away from the coast and even puts them in danger, crossing V as it does V six golf club fairways. Coun Clarke said: Its not good for walkers and its not good for golfers. Its a fudge. It puts walkers in danger of golf balls hitting them and denies walkers the best view of the coast, the star of the Jurassic coast V Black Venn. Coun Clarke said the footpath had followed the edge of the coast for thousands of years. He said: To keep stating this health and safety aspect is ridiculous. Its been like that for thousands of years. Coun Clarke said he and other walk ers would like to see the original foot path reinstated with a sizeable bound ary of 10 to 15 yards, which is a safer option and one that avoids all this bureaucracy. He said: It seems strange that they have had years to sort this out then all of a sudden, theres a months notice and thats it. Its not fair on the people who live here. In its background report, Dorset County Council says it has discussed the proposed route thoroughly with the golf club, and come up with one that causes as little disturbance to golfers as possible. It says it will carry out work to ensure the public do not stray on to the course and to ensure their safety from misdirected golf balls. The report also says: The gap in the coast path makes the area less attrac tive to the tourists upon which the major part of the economy of this part of Dorset depends. CPAG member Giles Dearlove urged anyone interested in saving the coast path to attend the county council meeting on August 19 at 2.15pm at County Hall, Dorchester. f The site visit by the county councils rights of way committee members will start at 10am at Lyme Regis golf club car park. It is not a public meeting.