Mr Simpson’s wife Susan led the campaign and was supported by the Peak and Northern Footpaths Society.

John Harket, of the association, said: “The case was finally referred to the secretary of state in 2021 and I stepped in to help.

“Although the road itself is quite insignificant and does not look very scenic, it forms a link in a very important chain.

“Cases like this go on and on.”

Eight residents gave evidence to the inquest, stating that they had used the footpath as a right-of-way since the early 1980s.

The Planning Inspector later ruled in their favour.