Brighton and Hove City Council reopen Woodland Drive footpath

The footpath between Woodland Drive and Woodland Avenue in Hove was closed after a storm caused a brick wall and fencing to collapse in autumn last year.

It was due to reopen on September 17 with Sussex Police in attendance, after Brighton and Hove City Council sent a letter updating the residents of Woodland Drive.

The brick wall and fencing collapsed following a storm in October 2023 (Image: Supplied) However, further structural issues were discovered, and a row broke out with another neighbour who stated the twitten is private.

After complaints from 80 local residents who wish to use the footpath again, the council sought legal advice and issued a Legal Event Order.

The order is pursuant to s53(3)(a) Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 which confirms the twitten is a public footpath.

After the council served notice to enable contractors to access and commence work on the footpath, it has now been reopened.

Council finally start work to reopen footpath that has been closed for nearly a year (Image: Cllr Trevor Muten)Prior to the reopening a resident who lives next to the footpath was seen late last week working on the front wall by using an angle grinder.

Councillor Trevor Muten, cabinet member for transport, parking and public realm, said: “One of the residents in a neighbouring property has also been carrying out work on their front wall after a structural survey showed it to be unsafe.

“We had shared those findings and our concerns with the owners of number 54 and asked them to make sure the necessary work on their property was completed by Monday, which we were pleased to see it was.

“They were also asked to move some fencing they had placed in front of parts of the wall onto their own property, to allow more space for people using the twitten.

“Work is progressing well and, weather permitting, we expect to have the twitten open for residents to use later this week.”

It has been confirmed now that the work to clear the footpath was been completed and it has been reopened.

The council has also installed a temporary CCTV camera for extra security and reinstalled signage.

The footpath has now been cleared (Image: Cllr Trevor Muten)Cllr Muten said: “This is great news and I’m pleased local people will once again get to use this much-loved path and the area it leads to.

“This has been a complicated issue, but one that’s been a priority for us. I’d like to thank residents for their patience and support in getting it recognised as an official public footpath.

“It really has demonstrated the passion of local people for the area and their community.

“I look forward to seeing people use and enjoy the path once again.”

Conservative Cllr Ivan Lyons, for Westdean and Hove Park Ward, who has been following the matter very closely since the footpath was closed in 2023, said: “It’s pleasing that the administration is now taking the re-opening of the twitten seriously and that progress has been made with the contractors this week.”