PATHWAYS in Harwich have become “dangerous” for children and vulnerable people to use, according to a concerned town councillor.

Ivan Henderson, who is also the town’s mayor, has become worried certain pathways, which are covered by overgrown brambles, weeds and stinging nettles, will now not be cut back before school pupils resume using them next week.

He highlighted the pathway between Low Road and Long Meadows as a particularly bad spot, especially as it connects many residents to Chase Lane Primary School and Harwich and Dovercourt High School.

However, when flagging the issue with Essex County Council, which is responsible for dealing with the maintenance, Mr Henderson was told the hedges are only cut back once a year.

It has left him frustrated and concerned for those wanting to use the paths.

“The policy of once-a-year cuts is totally unacceptable,” he said. “Places are getting totally obstructed.

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“The clue is in the name ‘public’ footpath but this also means they need to actually be accessible for the public.

“Some of these pathways are routes used on a regular basis by families, children, elderly and disabled people. How can you expect someone in a wheelchair or mobility scooter to get through that unscathed?

“These rights of way are there to encourage active travel, but you can’t encourage people to walk or cycle when obstructions to the paths aren’t being cleared.

“It’s dangerous. There are stinging nettles and brambles at eye-level too.

“These are some of the safest routes for schoolchildren and with the schools going back next week these paths need to be cleared, otherwise it encourages kids to walk alongside the busier roads instead.”

In response to Mr Henderson’s concerns, a spokesman for Essex Council said: “We have requested that a member of the inspection team assess the situation and we will take the appropriate action.”