We’ve reopened the popular footpath on Woodland Drive.
The path, leading to Three Cornered Copse, was forced to close last year when a partially collapsed wall posed a risk to public safety.
Contractors have now completed work to clear the footpath and make the area safe for residents to use once again.
We’ve also installed a temporary CCTV camera for extra security and reinstalled signage.
Councillor Trevor Muten, Cabinet member for Transport, Parking and Public Realm, said: “This is great news and I’m pleased local people will once again get to use this much-loved path and the area its leads to.
“This has been a complicated issue, but one that’s been a priority for us. I’d like to thank residents for their patience and support in getting it recognised as an official public footpath. It really has demonstrated the passion of local people for the area and their community.
“I look forward to seeing people use and enjoy the path once again.”
We were forced to close the footpath in October 2023 because of a partially collapsed wall.
During the closure several issues were raised with us, including access rights.
With the support of evidence provided to us by the local community, we made a legal order, confirming the footpath as an official public footpath.
During a visit by council officers, it became clear other sections of a boundary wall were still at risk of collapse.
So, following an inspection from a structural engineer, we used powers under Section 78 of the Building Act to get contractors to clear the area and make it safe.