Colchester: Fieldgate Quay to receive temporary pathway

Spring tides on the River Colne last year saw a section of sheet wall piling fall foul of the elements along the Hythe to Rowhedge footpath at Fieldgate Quay.

A small section of the footpath, popular with birdwatchers, cyclists and hikers, also gave way, with metal piling collapsing into the water.

Contractors have now been given the green light to begin clearing the former CTruks Marine Services site, which became vacant when parent company Alnmaritec went into liquidation in February.

Damage - the quay

Planning work is now underway as specialist contractor Squibb Group moved onto the 2.5 acre site on May 30 and is expected to take up to three weeks to safely dispose of waste and other materials left behind.

Clearing the site, which has since returned to Colchester Council, will enable plans for a temporary diversion of the riverside path between Rowhedge and the Hythe to proceed in the coming weeks.

However, the priority is to ensure the site is secured and made safe before the diverted path reopens, the council stated.

Colchester Council’s resources boss Mark Cory said: “I am delighted work has begun to clear the site and we will soon be able to move forward to find an alternative use for the land, to repair Fieldgate Quay and to fully restore the riverside path.

Collapsed - the site

“Lots has been going on behind the scenes as we continue to look at options to repair the riverbank in a way that is both sensitive to local ecology and the needs of walkers and other river users.

“More information on the river bank repair will be shared in due course.

“The River Colne is internationally important for wildlife, and the council is in consultation with several statutory organisations to minimise the impact of any work to the surrounding biodiversity.

“We will, of course, continue to provide further updates as and when significant progress is made to complete this important work.”