The public inquiry into Public Rights of Way at Langness got underway this morning (Monday) with opening statements from opposing sides.

Advocates for Jeremy Clarkson and his wife argue there have never been any rights of way across the land at the end of the Peninsula – while local residents say they’ve been using paths there for decades.

At the Mount Murray Hotel this morning, Director of Highways Bruce Hannay said the Department of Transport would take a neutral stance.

He told the hearing, definitive maps of the Island’s public rights of way, drawn up in 1971, show nothing beyond a road to a car park.

Around 40 people – including Transport Minister David Anderson and Jeremy Clarkson’s wife Frances - attended this morning’s session as Inspector Roy Hickey began taking evidence.

He said he’d been to the Peninsula twice and later this week would visit it again when those giving evidence would be able to accompany him.

Ian Costain of the pressure group Public Rights of Way Langness said he didn’t intend to call any witnesses but would show the paths had been used long enough to be classed as public rights of way.

The inquiry continues, with Eddie Lowey MLC among those due to give evidence.