Call to reopen footpath as cheaper costs floated

Northwick Slip footpath has been shut since 2021 due to a two-metre collapsed section

A conservation charity has estimated the cost of repairing a closed riverside footpath in Worcester to be much cheaper than previously thought.

Open Spaces Society prepared a report that said short-term repairs to Northwick Slip, which shut in 2021, would cost "well under £30,000".

Work to the footpath was carried out on behalf of Worcestershire County Council in 2020 and 2021, with costs for restoration thought to exceed by a huge margin the sum since presented by the charity.

The council said it had "no plans to reopen" the path. A temporary closure order is due to expire in October 2027.

The path was shut due to the collapse of a two-metre section, as well as the removal of access steps.

Contractor Jacobs prepared a report at the time which costed repairs at about £500,000.

The charity's report said there was "unhelpful focus on the excessive engineering costs associated with a 250-metre riverbank restoration project".

Instead, according to the report, the affected two metres could be addressed by volunteers using hand tools.

Residents campaigning for the path to be reopened held a public meeting at Bishop Allenby Hall last week, with about 50 attendees agreeing to oppose further closure orders.

City and county councillor Mel Allcott said more work would need to be done to the path, and there was yet to be direct funding for such a project.

She said: "I have requested central government funding from MP Tom Collins as the county council is in a predicament with its finances.

"I thank the residents of Claines for their patience in this matter and would like to highlight that the county council does have a statutory responsibility to maintain and keep open footpaths."

New steps and a gate were needed at the entrance to the footpath from Cove Gardens, and obstructions including logs and pallets needed to be moved, said the report.

Worcestershire highways chief Karl Perks said the council appreciated the time put in to the report and the county was in early discussions about a "potential alternative diversion route".