FARMER George Pothecary says he has parked his tractor on a cycle path to "teach some people good manners" in a row over land.

But his protest has been condemned as selfish because it is delaying the new Sustrans cycleway in Cricklade which will eventually link Swindon with Cirencester.

Mr Pothecary, 74, who farms a beef herd at Dance House Farm near Cricklade, says the workers laying the path are trespassing on his land.

He also claims he has not been informed about the project.

However his claim to the land is hotly disputed by Swindon and Cricklade Railway.

As a protest, he has parked a tractor and trailer across the path near the back of Pauls Croft so the work cannot continue.

Sustrans is developing the cycle path and will eventually lease the land from the railway society, which in turn leases it from Swindon Council.

Mr Pothecary, who has been at the farm for 30 years, said: "The first I knew about the path was when it started to appear on the railway. It's quite amazing how it happened. They are destroying wildlife.

"I am trying to teach someone some manners. And this will just be the start of it."

One of the tractors says "Damage will occur if this machine is moved".

Some people have interpreted this as a threat.

However, Mr Pothecary said it is just a warning that it should not be touched by anyone but him as farm machinery can be dangerous.

Mr Pothecary says he is also worried about the new canal planned for Cricklade.

He said: "Would the people behind it let everybody go across their gardens in the same way?"

Swindon and Cricklade Railway's chairman of trustees Geoff Austin said the railway society was the landowner.

He said that the group had checked the deeds several times to make absolutely sure.

He said: "This is a hiccup and we are working to resolve it."

A Sustrans spokeswoman said a public meeting had been held about the cycle path plans.

She said: "Sustrans wants to get this facility in place for the people of Cricklade as soon as possible, but this could delay it.

"We do talk to people about the paths.

"For example residents in Pauls Croft asked that the path be moved down the bank so it did not overlook their gardens, and so it was moved."

Mr Pothecary's actions have drawn criticism from in and around Cricklade.

Mark Ingle, landlord of the Vale Hotel, said: "I think it's appalling that one person is effectively preventing business from being brought into the town.

"I think it's a fantastic idea to have a cycle path and so does almost everyone in Cricklade.

"It will be great for the town. I don't think one individual should be able to bully the public."

Tom Morton