Hythe to Rowhedge footpath to remain closed for several months

Date issued: 18 December 2020

A section of towpath along the River Colne, off Haven Road, will remain closed for several months for urgent riverbank repairs.

Council officers have been meeting with contractors to ascertain what works need to be undertaken to repair the riverbank and reopen the footpath. The timeframe for repair work is not known at this time, but the footpath is likely to remain closed for several months.

As no diversion is currently available for this stretch of river, closing the path will prevent journeys on foot between King Edward Quay and Rowhedge for the duration of the repair works.

Barriers and signs are in place at both King Edward Quay and Rowhedge ends of the towpath, clearly showing the section of path that is closed.

A spokesperson for Colchester Borough Council, said: “This section of the towpath will remain closed for the foreseeable future, whilst we monitor and inspect the stability of the riverbank. Right now, our focus is on completing surveys to determine what is happening with the riverbank and how best to repair it.

“We thank the public for their patience as we work through the process to find a repair solution. We appreciate this is an inconvenience, however it is a necessary measure to ensure public safety. We apologise for any disruption this work will cause and advise the public to put safety first and avoid this stretch of riverbank until repairs are completed and the path reopens.”