Stour path


Background At the end of January 2007, a section of the Stour riverside path / wall below Shotley Cliff was badly damaged during a storm. The County Council taped off the section, though the path remained easily passable by most users.

Then on 18 March 2007 another storm caused more damage here, to the extent that the wall and path collapsed entirely. A further breach also appeared further east (the old Blockhouse), a huge piece of wall falling.
Due to the importance of this path, which is used by local residents and visitors on a daily basis, MyShotley set up this dedicated web page. You can read below, in date order of the struggle before the eventual repair in May 2008, and subsequently to secure its future.

If you have comments aor wish to help, please email.

Latest news items are shown below, latest first.

15 Jan 09	A meeting to form a working party to discuss the way forward re the Stour River Path is to be held on 10 February, 7pm at the Bristol Arms. It was hoped officers from both Suffolk and Babergh Councils would be able to attend, as well as Shotley Parish Council. Interested residents were welcome to attend.

20 Nov 08	Shotley Parish Council heard that Babergh's Open Spaces Manager reported that the Environment Agency did not have a strategy in place at the present time in respect of the deterioration of our local coastline - more particularly the Stour River footpath. It was felt therefore that a working party be formed made up of interested parties in order to try to stem the deterioration and improve this valuable resource.

21 Aug	A meeting took place between Babergh officers and Parish councillors in late July. Some progress was made with a view to securing the long-term future of the path.

17 July	Funding for the repair has now been received from: Cllr David Wood 's Locality Fund (£1000), Babergh East Local Strategic Partnership (£3000), SCC Rights of Way (£4000) leaving the Council with a £4000 bill. SPC are grateful for the contributions. A meeting with Babergh and SPC Councillors had been arranged for 22 July in order to look at a long-term solution for the erosion of the Stour River Path.

30 May	The breaches in the River Stour path are now repaired! Thanks to all those who had the determination to get this result despite the politics and bureaucracy! Note that the last remaining piece of badly damaged path is awaiting repair of a pipe found to be damaged, and the SCC signs will shortly be removed.
4 May	The contractor informs the Parish Council that they hope to commence work to repair the breach approximately 26 May. (All the formalities are now resolved)

20 Mar	An alternative quotation for repairs to be carried out has been accepted and following assent from various agencies and it is hoped that work would commence by late April. Further funding was being sought from various sources.

8 Mar	The contractor is now unable to fulfill the works due to a technicality relating to providing the insurance documentation necessary to secure public funding.

8 Feb 08	Following collaborative work behind the scenes, the Parish Council has decided to accept the quote to have the breaches repaired. SPC has placed the order and will part fund this crucial work. <more>

18 Dec 07	The Parish Council met the Rights of Way officers from the County Council, in order to find a way forward with a repair to the path, and to challenge their intention to remove the steps. This was a very constructive meeting, which concluded that that a partnership be established between all the agencies with a relevant responsibility, and to attempt to secure funds to repair the major breach. SCC agreed to allocate funds currently intended for the smaller breach (block house). SPC decided to approach the Marina's current river piling contractors for a quotation. SCC had listened to SPC and gave an assurance that the steps will not be removed. [minutes to be posted here once confirmed]

9 Nov 07	Tidal surge has an impact!
18 Oct 07	The Parish Council received a letter from the County Council with the following major news about the breach in the river path, the steps from Stourside and also a change to March Lane footpath:
	The river wall and path will not be repaired at the major breach. This is due to 'the section of remaining concrete wall is in a poor state and likely to collapse in the very near future. The cost...considered to be too high when there is only approx 50m of right of way left. The path at the bottom of the steps ends there....the...path towards Harkstead disappeared some year ago...through erosion.' Concreted notices will be erected either side of the breach. Even worse, the 'flight of steps leading from the river into Stourside is in a poor state of repair. It is our intention to remove them.' They will repair the breach at the old Blockhouse and reinstate the path there. We believe this will be before Christmas. SCC will be linking up this 'restricted byway' with Stourside. SCC will be re-instating footpath 17 (Marsh Lane) to its original line, around the edge of the field, as the farmer wishes to plough up the field. MyShotley.com, and the Parish Council, are totally opposed to the decision not to repair the Stour breach and to remove the Stourside steps. This would result in the loss of very important amenities as the path and steps are used daily by locals and visitors. The Parish Council has written to SCC outlining their views, and requested a meeting. [read the letter] Also, County Cllr David Wood has agreed to pursue this matter further. Keep an eye on this page for further developments. If you have a view on this, or can provide evidence of how much the path and steps are used, please email us. We will collate and pass a summary onto the CC. Do you think a petition should be organised?

7 Aug 07	The temporary closure has been formally extended to 7 Feb 2008 for safety reasons until works are carried out. This is a formality – the Parish Council are informed that the work is expected to be carried out way in the shorter term.

21 Jul 07	The County Council reported to the Parish Council that hey had had been quoted £20,000 for the repair. They are hoping to obtain part funding from other sources. The clerk had expressed concern at the delay and requested a diversion be robustly signed. This could be back up Bristol Hill left into Estuary Drive thru the cut through to, along Lower Harlings /Stourside, joining up with the path at the top of the hill ie past the point of collapse.

8 Apr 07	Ben Cresswell, aged 15, sends MyShotley.com his pictures of the breached river wall. They were taken on 2 April. Click on the thumbnails below to enlarge. Do you have any pictures you want to share with the community? Three other local residents have already emailed their concerns about any delay to the path's repair. These have been passed onto the right person at the County Council. Do you want to explain to the County Council how important a prompt repair is to you?


29 Mar 07	The County Council Rights of Way Officer informed the Parish Clerk that he is concerned that the cost of the repair will take a large proportion of the coming year's capital budget. He is awaiting an estimate from an engineer. Access to the site is governed by the tides and it will require specialist equipment. He has promised to update the clerk as soon as he has any further info. He has asked her to keep a record of public comments. Please email us with your views. He noted that there are also breaches in the River Orwell wall below Hill House Farm.


News Shotley Parish Council

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