WATCH: Repairs to Hythe to Rowhedge path under investigation

Part of the River Colne quayside, on the south side of Haven Road, Colchester, has started subsiding, with the metal steering attached to the bank starting to detach from the bank.

Colchester Council was forced to shut the adjoining footpath, which links Hythe and Rowhedge, in November to investigate the scale of the problem.

Here is a video of the situation at the quay taken by Shaun Boughton:

It had initially been hoped the footpath would only remain shut for a period of weeks, however, due to the severity of the issue, it is now expected to be shut for several months.

Works have been continuing on the quayside to determine the nature of the necessary repairs, which are set to be substantial.

Read more >>> Hythe to Rowhedge footpath closed for several months due to quay collapse

Hythe towpath collapsing

• The River Colne quayside has started collapsing

Residents have raised concerns the state of the quay is deteriorating rapidly, with rumours that part of a nearby building had also partially collapsed.

However, Colchester Council say it had not had any further movement of the quay over Christmas and New Year.

Hythe towpath collapsing

• The area is off limits to the public

A spokesperson for Colchester Council said: “To the best of our knowledge, there has been no further movement to the quay since before Christmas.

“One of our own engineers has made regular visits to the site to check on movement, including earlier today, and neither he nor CTruk have reported any further deterioration.

“Topographical and ground penetrating radar surveys have been undertaken this week.

"These were to establish where drains and other underground features exist that may affect installing the ground anchors, which will be used to tie sheet piling to the quay when repairs are undertaken.

“This information is needed by companies tendering for the repairs, which will in turn determine the final cost of the work.”

Read more >>> Hythe to Rowhedge footpath closed as part of quay starts collapsing

No diversion is available for the section of river in question and so the entirety of the footpath between King Edward Quay and Rowhedge has been completely closed off.

Hythe towpath collapsing

• The path has been shut to the public since November

It will remain closed until repairs can be completed and barriers and signs have been installed at both ends to discourage walkers from using the path.

The footpath is located near Anglian Water’s sewage works, behind CTruk Marine Services Ltd, and is popular with dog walkers and ramblers travelling along the banks of the River Colne.