Contractor appointed to repair quay by Hythe to Rowhedge path

Colchester Council has chosen Breheny to complete the repairs to a section of quayside in Hythe where the piling is starting to detach from the riverbank.

The council has applied to the Marine Management Organisation for permission to survey the riverbed, to enable repair plans to be finalised.

Simon Crow, councillor responsible for environment and sustainability, said: “I’m pleased that we have a contractor appointed and are taking the next steps for the riverbed surveys to be done, so that repair work can get underway in the autumn.

“Engineers continue to visit the site weekly, to monitor the damage to the river wall, and detailed monitoring will continue.

"There has been a small amount of movement in the damaged section of piling over the last few weeks, which is down to the recent high tides removing silt from the void behind the damaged sheet pile wall.

"This is to be expected and we continue to monitor the situation closely."

The adjoining footpath, which links Hythe and Rowhedge, will remain closed until repairs are completed in the interests of safety.

Read more:

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• Hythe to Rowhedge footpath closed for several months due to quay collapse

Repairs - environment and sustainability boss Simon Crow

Mr Crow said: “We have looked at all options for a safe diversion that people can use around this part of the riverside.

"Sadly, there is no viable diversion that people can use around this area of footpath 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 attempt to access the closed section of footpath.

"The footpath will remain closed until the repair work has been completed and the path is safe for use again.”

Repairs are unlikely to start before the autumn due to their complex nature and the permissions needed.

An environmental consultant is involved in the planned to minimise the impact on wildlife in the area.

The council says there is no concern about an Anglian Water outflow pipe at this point in the river.

Council officers are also working closely with CTruk Marine Services, located on the land next to the section of affected riverbank, to ensure site safety with the day-to-day running of their operations.