A WELL-used walking route will be shut for at least a year, Colchester Council has announced. 

The footpath, which runs along the River Colne in Colchester, has been closed since November after part of the quayside started collapsing.

The scale of the damage is worse than first thought and the repair needed will be very complex.

Here is what we know:

Why is the footpath closed?

Part of the River Colne quayside, on the south side of Haven Road, Colchester, has started subsiding, with the metal sheeting attached to the bank starting to become detached.

Colchester Council has been in talks with specialist engineers to work out what repairs are needed to correct the problem.

In the meantime, the riverside footpath, which links Hythe and Rowhedge, has been closed in the interests of safety.

Here is some drone footage showing the damage:

When will repairs be complete?

A timeframe for the repairs is not yet known, but the council said the footpath is likely to remain closed for at least a year.

Barriers and signs will remain in place at both King Edward Quay and Rowhedge ends of the towpath, to show the section of path that is closed.

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What has Colchester Council said?

A spokesman said: “Specialist engineers are continuing to investigate the extent of the damage to Fieldgate Quay river wall, where the piling has started to come away from the bank next to the Hythe to Rowhedge towpath.

“It is a situation we want to get resolved as soon as we can. However, initial reports show that complex and extensive engineering works will be needed.

“The River Colne is internationally important for wildlife and we are in consultation with a number of statutory organisations, as well as other stakeholders, to minimise the impact on the surrounding biodiversity.

“We will be able to share a clearer timeline for the works once the design for the repair and consents have been agreed.

“As part of this, we will be working with businesses and communities using the area to understand the impact of the planned repair works.

“It is not going to be a quick fix and unfortunately the footpath is likely to be closed for at least one year.

“Sadly, there is no viable and safe diversion that people can use around this section of towpath because it is in an industrial area.

“We know it is frustrating for those who use the route, but while the path remains closed, we urge people, for their own safety, not to use it.”