BUSINESSES and residents in Truro are claiming victory after council officials backed their claims that a favoured short cut was a public right of way.
They argued that the footpath along George Street, which was blocked off by Philip Perryman, the owner of A2B taxi firm, had been in use for several decades.
In September Mr Perryman told the West Briton he recently bought the industrial unit and legal searches proved the road was private with no public access.
But this was called into question after complaints from locals who claimed to have used the path over many years.
Cornwall Council said it had received a "significant number" of witness statements from people who had enjoyed uninterrupted use of the route, many for more than 25 years.
This week, after several months assessing the information, council officials said: "The council has gathered evidence and investigated the claim that public rights on foot exist over the lane off George Street in Truro. The council is satisfied on the evidence presented to it that such rights exist and so the council has contacted the owner to seek removal of the obstruction."
Mr Perryman said he could not comment as his solicitors were still considering the matter.
Dave Liney, who runs Flying Sparks car garage, near the footpath, said he was "absolutely pleased" with the outcome and called for the route to be reopened.
Ruth Budge, a resident who contacted the council providing evidence of use, said: "I am thrilled. I've been using the footpath for 70 years. I was brought up at Hendra and my parents lived on George Street. My mum always walked along the short cut and I used it when I went to school. I've always known that it was a private road but it was always left open for pedestrians to have access."
The route is popular with elderly residents using it to get to local shops and children and parents walking to Bosvigo School.
Mr Perryman previously told the West Briton that a public right of way would impinge on his use of the site as a base to maintain and clean his taxis.
