A COUNCIL is urging patience over the repair of a dangerous footpath that has been closed since May.

The path, connecting St James Green with Marage Road in Thirsk, is in danger of collapsing into the river after being severely affected by river erosion to a retaining wall.

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The structural integrity of a nearby iron footbridge as well as the path leading to it have also been affected.

Following extensive surveys the County Council’s Countryside and Access Service is considering several solutions before repair work can be carried out.

A date of when the route will be reopened cannot yet be confirmed.

County Councillor Gareth Dadd, who represents the Thirsk division, said: “We recognise the inconvenience the closure continues to cause to the local community; however, public safety is paramount.

"This is why we are taking the opportunity to urge residents to respect the closure as we work to find a solution.

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“Reopening the route is our number one priority, however the situation is complex and requires a multi-agency response. Please be assured that we are pulling out all of the stops to get a solution in place as quickly and cost effectively as possible.”

Users of the route are being diverted via Bridge Street, approximately an additional 200m distance to access St James Green.

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