An 'unsafe' section of one of Norfolk's flagship walking routes which has been closed for almost a decade is set to finally be restored.
Walkers on the Wherryman's Way, which runs between Norwich and Great Yarmouth, have had to take a lengthy diversion near Loddon since 2015, because of the dilapidated state of the footpath and two wooden bridges.
But Norfolk County Council has now submitted a planning application to repair the crossings and path, so the route can be re-opened.
The 1.25-mile closed section runs along a thin strip of land between the River Chet from Hardley Flood, a large area of open water.
Since 2015, walkers have had to head inland for 2.5 miles and onto local roads.
Officials say the near-decade-long delay to fix the route is because it crosses a Site of Special Scientific Interest. These are areas which have added protections from changes to the landscape.
A council spokesman said: "In this case, the work to the surface of the footpaths is only part of it, as the repairs to the footbridges are what is taking the time.
"While the work is carried out to footbridges along the paths to make them safe for people to use the route remains closed, with the time partially a result of the protections around Hardley Flood as a Site of Special Scientifical Interest."
READ MORE: Neighbours at war at landmark location on Norfolk Broads
The Flood is a 123-acre area of tidal lagoon and reedbeds that runs alongside the Chet, providing a 'spillway' to control the flow of water along the river at times of flooding and heavy rainfall.
The flow of water between the two can be very fast and heavy, making the route completely impassable without the bridges.
While two of them remain in place and are passable, they require remedial work.
A third bridge no longer exists, as it collapsed into the channel. A fourth bridge is on the point of collapse and unsafe to use.
READ MORE: Did you know about Norfolk's long-forgotten 'sugar beet' railway?
The new planning application submitted by NCC is for repair works on the first two bridges.
The full replacement for the other two will follow later, under a separate planning application.
WHERRYMAN'S WIGGLE
The 37.5-mile walking route runs along the banks of Breydon Water and the River Yare all the way between Norwich and Great Yarmouth.
However, when the path reaches the Chet, walkers must head 3.5 miles along its meandering course up to the town of Loddon, before returning on the opposite bank back to the Yare.
READ MORE: Meet the man behind the planning feud which has lasted a quarter of a century
Close to the mouth of the Chet stands Hardley Cross, a stone monument which traditionally marked the boundary of jurisdiction between Norwich and Great Yarmouth.
A marker, of some form or other, has stood here since the 1400s.
It received further attention in 1990 and the bank was strengthened as the cross was in danger of falling into the river.
To view the plans in full search the following reference in the Broads Authority's planning portal: BA/2024/0052/FUL
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here