http://www.ukclimbing.com/forums/t.php?n=433874 by - Dave Turnbull, BMC on - 13:11 Wed I was at the inquiry all day yesterday and left at 5.10pm with it still running following a 30-40 min slot giving evidence and taking questions from the landowners lawyer. It was something of a lesson in bureaucratic process. There was 40-50 members of the public present (including Frank Canning and Ian Peters)plus 4 or 5 people representing each side of the case: Devon County Council (+ the Ramblers rep) on one side - the landowners party on the other. The room (a badminton court in a council building of some form)alegedly had underfloor heating but was baltic and several people ended up sitting for the day in hats, gloves and jackets. The acoustics were also very poor; there were several adjournments in the morning during which heaters and sound system were shipped in.The inquiry will take at least 3 days, possibly more. Yesterday was spent listening to evidence from the DCC Rights of Way officer about why the footpath modification order was being supported by the Council following by questions from both sides lawyers. 5 witnesses were then called and asked to explain how they had accessed Vixen Tor in the past; one chap had been going there since the 1950s. I was second last to be called and went on to explain the historic use of the site by climbers, the fact that no access difficulties had been reported to the BMC prior to 2002/3, and the route that climbers normally took to access the crag.Today and tomorrow will involve hearing evidence from witnesses called by the landowners side. This will include a aerial photography expert who I understand will try to show that there was no (aerial) evidence of paths to the Tor in the 1960's & 70's. The crux of it is that DCC have to prove that the path through the Vixen Tor enclosure was used by walkers on an unrestricted basis for the 20 yr period between 1956-76. Frank Canning and Ian Peters will also be giving evidence today.We will keep you posted.Dave