WALKERS in Sible Hedingham will soon be able to enjoy riverside rambles when an uneven and often muddy path beside the River Colne is given a new lease of life.

Braintree District Council, in partnership with Sible Hedingham Parish Council, is leading the project which will see a �60,000 investment into the village’s riverside landscape. The new all-weather path will enable walkers, as well as those with push chairs and wheelchairs – to use the riverside path all year round.

Cllr Wendy Schmitt, cabinet member for the environment, said: “This is great news for the Hedinghams – the new river walk will make the most of the village’s natural asset – the River Colne.

“It will be a joy for local people and visitors to the village to know they will be able to enjoy the tranquillity of the riverside landscape throughout the year. This is just the start of a bigger initiative to improve access even further along the river and I look forward to seeing the project grow.”

Cllr Ronald Green said: “Sible Hedingham Parish Council and Hedingham Riverside Walk are particularly grateful to Essex County Council for two generous grants in recent years from the Community Initiatives Fund towards the costs of construction of the Riverside Walk.

“I am delighted that the second phase of the work will commence next week, which will be complete in good time for the official opening by George Courtauld, vice lord lieutenant of Essex, on June 24.”

Phase one of the project will see a new 2.5 metre wide path laid along a 500 metre stretch of currently unsurfaced track between Riverside Way and Alderford Street making it more accessible for a variety of users in all weathers (bar flooding), including mobility vehicles and toddler buggies.

Phase two will see the construction of a new stream crossing, linking the new path with Alderford Street, close to Alderford Mill. It is hoped that this will take place later this year.

Work is due to start on April 10 and will last for eight weeks during which the path will be closed whilst the works proceed. As no alternative route can be provided notices will be posted along the route to warn members of the public.

The project is being jointly funded by Section 106 funds yielded by developments in Sible Hedingham and a successful bid by the parish council to Essex County Council’s Community Initiative Fund.