More than a year after an embankment collapse forced the closure of a key cycle path in Radcliffe-on-Trent – a timeline for repairs hasn’t been announced.
The ‘greenway’ route, which opened in 2019 and links Radcliffe-on-Trent to Cotgrave, has been closed since January 2024 after unauthorised construction work at the rear of Cedar Lodge Caravan Park destabilised the embankment.
Despite public concerns and repeated inquiries, the council has only stated that it continues to work on solutions but has not committed to a timeframe for restoring public access.
This lack of progress has sparked increasing discontent among local officials and residents. Rushcliffe Borough and County Councillor Roger Upton (Con) recently reassured the public that no further unauthorised work had taken place on the site following online speculation.
However, Radcliffe Parish Council Chair Anne McLeod voiced deep frustration over the prolonged delays, calling the path a “precious asset” for the community. She also raised concerns that the embankment damage could lead to flooding risks if not addressed.
James Naish, Labour MP for Rushcliffe, has also weighed in on the issue, urging the County Council to improve its communication with residents while acknowledging the financial constraints local authorities face.
“I have been in touch with the County Council several times about this issue and had an online meeting at the end of October,” he said. “I suggested that a decision paper should be added to the cabinet’s forward plan to bring the matter to a head but was told at the end of November that the council wasn’t ready for this.
“I appreciate residents’ frustrations given the time lag between the damage and a decision being taken.
“I recognise that council funding has been decimated over recent years so finding extra money can be challenging, but I would encourage the County Council to improve its proactive communication with residents so there is no misunderstanding about the efforts being undertaken to bring the path back into public use.”
Nottinghamshire County Council maintains that it is working with specialist contractors to develop a plan for securing the embankment and restoring the route. However, the continued lack of clarity on when repairs might begin has left many in the community feeling unheard and uncertain about the future of the popular walking, cycling, and horse-riding path.
For now, residents are urged to avoid the closed section for safety reasons, but they continue to push for transparency and action on a route that was once a valued local asset.