A cycle path on the new Warley Hospital development left in ruins after a tanker drove down it looks set to get repaired after months of delay.

Churned up - Warley councillor Michael Taylor wants the cycle path repaired as soon as possible

The path, which links Mascalls Lane to Crescent Road, had not even been officially opened when the tanker drove along it in November to access a leaking sewage pipe.

According to Brentwood Council the vehicle proved too heavy for the path and eventually became bogged down after only travelling a couple of hundred yards

The damage inflicted on the path has left it virtually impassable by bicycle, but Brentwood Council officers have been struggling for months to get Thames Water to accept responsibility.

Finally the council has confirmed this week that it is to meet with the contractor which was undertaking the repair work for Thames Water at the time of the incident.

The council's landscape and environment manager Steve Plumb said: "We will be meeting with representatives from the company and hopefully we will be able to sort everything out.

"Thames Water have been saying that it is not their responsibility and we have to speak to their contractors, but it has been difficult to track down who exactly was responsible."

Mr Plumb said work may be delayed due to the wet ground conditions, but he hoped it could be put right as soon as possible.

Cllr Michael Taylor has been angered by the delays. He said: "I think its a great shame this has happened and our officers have had to chase Thames Water for this to be put right.

"This provided a great way for residents to get from Mascalls Lane down to the station and was a route I used myself."

A spokesman for Thames Water said: "We have been informed that the contractors are liaising with the council over a claim.

"We are sorry that this happened as they were working on our behalf at the time of the incident. We hope the issue will now be progressed satisfactorily."

Published Wednesday, February 20, 2002