A FOOTPATH has been brought back up to scratch allowing families to walk between a housing estate and a primary school with ease.

The track, now complete with a path and cycleway, connects people with Monkwick Junior School and the Willows estate in Monkwick, Colchester.

Dave Harris, Essex county councillor for Maypole, met with residents and stakeholders to officially reopen the upgraded footpath this week.

“I definitely see more and more people using the footpath as it is fit for purpose now,” said Mr Harris.

Gazette: Official reopening - Dave Harris reopened the footpath next to Monkwick Junior School this weekOfficial reopening - Dave Harris reopened the footpath next to Monkwick Junior School this week (Image: Newsquest)

“The transformation from a very narrow path where you could not pass to a well lit, well surfaced footpath that gives residents the opportunity to get away from car routes and enjoy a walk is great.

“Looking to the future, I hope the path can go even further and join the link towards Colchester city centre.

“This is a great investment that decades of people going to and from local schools will benefit from.”

The pathway victory comes after Mr Harris raised concerns about overgrown greenery blocking footpaths in Berechurch Hall Road and Layer Road, Colchester.

Bosses at Essex County Council, however, said: “The vegetation found at these locations is not maintained by the highways authority as it is the responsibility of the adjacent landowners."