APPEAL court judges have slammed a ‘Dickensian’ legal dispute over a ditch in Mobberley which has totted up costs of more than £500,000.

For several years, Paddock Hill neighbours, Richard and Heidi Gilks and Adrian and Joanna Hodgson, have been embroiled in a bitter battle for the right of way over a ditch which divides their properties.

The Gilks, who used the ditch as a short cut to Wilmslow, were granted right of way at Manchester County Court in December 2013 but The Hodgsons, of White Peak Farm, claimed their neighbours were breaking the law and disturbing their animals.

The Hodgsons’ appeal to overturn the decision was dismissed by dismayed judges last week.

After dismissing the right of way appeal, Lord Justice Bean said: “I only add how dismayed I have been by this Dickensian litigation. The disputed strip of land and right of way do not constitute the sole means of access to anyone’s home.

“The award of damages to Mr and Mrs Gilk was £3,500. Yet, at a time when the courts are under pressure, the battle between these two couples took up ten days of court time – more than some murder trials.”

It took a further three days in the Court of Appeal and about half a million pounds in legal costs.

Lord Justice Bean added: “It is almost as though Lord Woolf and other civil procedure reformers over the years have laboured in vain.”

The Gilks’ and the Hodgsons’ homes were originally part of one parcel of land which was divided and sold off in 1950. The Hodgsons’ land has been in their family for years and the Gilks moved into their home in 2004.

The court heard how the couples got on but then fell out over a planning dispute and went to war over the ditch and the track.

In December 2013, it was ruled that the boundary to the Gilks’ home, Fiveacres, was in the middle of the track and they had right of way to drive over the ditch.

Last week, the appeal judges allowed the appeal over the ruling that the boundary was down the middle of the track but dismissed the appeal that the Gilks had no right of way.

The question of who pays the hefty legal bill is yet to be decided.

The Guardian spoke to Heidi Gilks after last week’s decision.

She said that she agreed with the judges’ ‘scathing’ remarks and said that the case should and could have been settle out of court years ago.

“This has been a very tough and stressful journey approaching its seventh year. The stresses and strains have, at times, been unbearable,” she said.

“The only thing that has got us through these horrendous few years is faith. We have always had faith that justice would prevail and that the truth would out.

“Hopefully we can now put all this behind us and move on knowing that we have finally been vindicated.”

The Guardian also spoke to the Hodgsons who said that, as other legal proceedings are ongoing, they felt it inappropriate to comment at this time.