James Matthews will present his case to prevent the footpath being classified as a public right of way next month

Local residents in the West Berkshire village of Pippa Middleton and husband James Matthews’s luxurious £15million estate have continued to vent their frustration after a countryside walking route was shut.

The row centres on Mill Lane, a pathway that villagers claim they have trailed on freely for generations to reach footpaths, the centre of Kintbury village, and St Mary’s Church.

The 44-year-old hedge fund manager acquired the Barton Court estate, a Grade II-listed Georgian mansion spanning more than 100 acres along the River Kennet, in 2022.

Pippa, and their three children, Arthur, seven, Grace, five, and Rose, three, moved in shortly after.

Access was swiftly restricted. The couple erected electric gates controlled by keypad, accompanied by signs declaring the route private property.

Since then, residents in the surrounding area have been angered by the “inconsiderate” couple.

One furious local declared the pair “not very popular,” and another told the Daily Mail they believe they “think they’re a bit better than everyone else”.

“They’re not even the proper Royal Family,” another local remarked.

Local residents in the West Berkshire village of Pippa Middleton and husband James Matthews’s luxurious £15million estate have continued to vent their frustration after a countryside walking route was shut

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The concreted track, known affectionately as “The Avenue” or “Donkey Lane,” runs through the family’s 145-acre grounds.

The closure has sparked serious safety concerns among residents, who now face a treacherous alternative along Station Road.

The narrow country lane features blind bends, no pavement and heavy goods vehicles travelling at considerable speed.

Charles Robins, a 72-year-old neighbour, warned: “I feel it will only be a matter of time before there’s a serious or fatal accident involving a pedestrian.”

The Barton Court Estate website shows pictures of the Georgian property | BARTON COURT ESTATE

The dispute has “split” the village, locals say, with some villagers more than happy for the footpath to remain shut.

“I am very happy for them to do what they want with their land,” one resident told the paper. “There are plenty of places to walk around here.”

“If the owner feels generous, then they would let the villagers use it, but if they want to be strict, I can understand that,” another added.

West Berkshire Ramblers, however, a group of 35 walking enthusiasts, successfully petitioned the council in 2024 to have the lane officially designated a public right of way.

Eugene Futcher, chairman of the group, told The Times: “It is a safe way to get to and from the village, so walkers are put at risk if they have to use the road.”

The Matthews family has contested this ruling through a London barrister, and both parties will present their cases at a public hearing scheduled for next month.

The controversy has attracted attention from The Ramblers charity, which views the situation as symptomatic of a nationwide problem.

Sophie Redmond, Programme Manager for Paths, noted that “thousands of miles of local paths are missing, blocked or unusable” across Britain.

GB News has approached the Barton Court Estate for comment.