A WELL-USED footpath which remained closed for a year after the collapse of a retaining wall has reopened.

A four metre section of the retaining wall in Southover Road, Lewes – part of the Grade II listed old town wall, collapsed in March last year leaving the footpath unsupported and unusable.

With listed building consent and in liaison with South Downs National Park Authority, East Sussex Highways has now completed the work and reopened the footpath which runs between Keere Street and Paines Twitten.

During the work, which took six weeks, Southover Road between Southover High Street and Garden Street, was closed to the public and the footpath remained out of action.

A spokesman for East Sussex Highways said: “Given the history of the wall and the fact that it supports a well-used footpath, it was important the repairs were carried out sensitively and with the necessary consent.

“We are pleased to have been able to reopen the footpath two weeks ahead of schedule and would like to thank everyone for their patience while we carried out the work.”

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