PLANS for a footpath along a busy tourist route could be delayed for up to five years because there is no cash to fund the project. Berrow Parish Council has been told there is no funding left in the next local transport plan for a path along the Coast Ro

PLANS for a footpath along a busy tourist route could be delayed for up to five years because there is no cash to fund the project.Berrow Parish Council has been told there is no funding left in the next local transport plan for a path along the Coast Road in the village.Parish council chairman Andrea Johnstone said: "County councillor Alan Ham wrote us a letter to say the project wasn't on the list for the next local transport plan."This means it could delay the work for up to five years as the next local transport plan goes up to 2011."The parish council is frustrated and disappointed. We have been told by Somerset County Council that we don't meet the criteria for funding so for the next five summers it is going to be chaos along the Coast Road."The parish council plans to write to both the county and district council."Originally funding for the path was included in the first plan, a document which sets out where money for transport projects should be spent. But because it came up against problems along the way it missed the deadline.Earlier this year The Government Office South West was asked to consider long running plans for a chain link fence to run alongside the proposed footpath. It decided not to call the proposal in and parish councillors thought funding would be included in the next local transport plan so work could start.A Somerset spokesman said: "We have considered the scheme to provide a new footway in the Local Transport Plan Two. However, we have to inform you that it scored a low value for money rating."At present it is unlikely to get local transport plan funding. It is still on the list but has dropped in the ratings.