Cynthia Todd, of Lismore Road, has complained for years after the rear access to her home was fenced off by council officials.

Now, in an attempt to push her protest forward, Mrs Todd has taken the matter into her own hands and cut down the fence herself.

The 61-year-old, armed with a chainsaw, put up a gate at the end of her back garden and then cut down the section of fence behind it, to give access.

Mrs Todd said: "This has been going on for years now and I don't think the council are taking me seriously.

"I have lived here for 25 years and there has always been a back access. I need it as the steps at the front of my house are too steep for me.

"Since they have closed it off the path round the back of the houses has become a right mess. There is fly-tipping and overgrowth everywhere. It's disgusting.

"I want something done about it, and now I've got my gate back I want my access back."

The conflict started in 2003 when the council put up the fence as safety measure for Lismore Road residents, blocking off access to the path.

The land at the back of the houses has since been sold to developers Oakapple Homes for the Oliver's Heights development but ownership of the path remains disputed.

Cllr Pat Marsburg said: "I understand how Cynthia feels about things and her anxiety. I have explored every avenue open to me in terms of trying to help her. The only thing in the meantime that I can see to be a solution is to see if Scarborough Council will work together with Yorkshire Coast Homes, who owns the Lismore Road properties, to stop the fly-tipping."

Although Mrs Todd now has access to the path, she still cannot use it as the entrances have been blocked at either end.

Scarborough Council's estate manager Mike Close said: "Although Mrs Todd acquired her home without any rights for pedestrian access to the rear of her property, the council has, together with Yorkshire Coast Homes and other agencies, been working closely with her to explore a number of options to provide a disabled-friendly access.

"Unfortunately, after extensive efforts, it has not been possible to achieve an outcome to the satisfaction of Mrs Todd.

"With regard to the small piece of land behind Mrs Todd's property, discussions have taken place with Yorkshire Coast Homes who are now consulting with tenants to see if one of them will agree to an access being created through a garden to enable the Council to periodically clear the area."



You can view video of Mrs Todd cutting down the fence on SEN TV on this website