Footpath closed after section of wall collapses

A well-known footpath in a seaside village, which forms part of the Northumberland Coast Path, is closed and it is unclear when it will reopen.
The damage to the sea wall by Lovers Walk at Alnmouth. Picture by Terry CollinsonThe damage to the sea wall by Lovers Walk at Alnmouth. Picture by Terry Collinson
The damage to the sea wall by Lovers Walk at Alnmouth. Picture by Terry Collinson

Lovers Walk in Alnmouth has been fenced off after a section of sea wall adjacent to the path collapsed last week.

Northumberland County Council, which is responsible for public footpaths, took the steps to block off the route as it was ‘left in a dangerous condition by the collapse’.

The blocked-off entrance to Lovers Walk in Alnmouth. Picture by Terry CollinsonThe blocked-off entrance to Lovers Walk in Alnmouth. Picture by Terry Collinson
The blocked-off entrance to Lovers Walk in Alnmouth. Picture by Terry Collinson
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However, the wall belongs to the Northumberland Estates and the local authority is in contact with them to work out what needs to be done.

As reported in the Alnmouth Village Newsletter, the 20KV electricity main runs under Lovers Walk and a main sewer is just to the side, ‘so a collapse could have more serious consequences than just the loss of a popular walk’.

A Northumberland County Council spokeswoman said: “The public footpath along Lovers Walk in Alnmouth has been closed due to a section of sea wall which collapsed last week, approximately 150 metres south of the Duchess Bridge.

“The footpath runs alongside the retaining wall and was left in a dangerous condition by the collapse.

The blocked-off entrance to Lovers Walk in Alnmouth. Picture by Terry CollinsonThe blocked-off entrance to Lovers Walk in Alnmouth. Picture by Terry Collinson
The blocked-off entrance to Lovers Walk in Alnmouth. Picture by Terry Collinson
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“The council has taken steps to close the path off and we are working closely with the landowners, Northumberland Estates, to assess the repair work which is required to restore the sea wall and the path alongside it.

“It is too soon to estimate when the path will reopen.”

Lovers Walk was also closed by a collapse of around 75 metres of the wall caused by the tidal surge in December 2013, which was dealt with by a temporary parallel path.