Concerns that a popular nature walk could be lost have been voiced after Cornwall Council began felling trees in the Seaton Valley. The work being done is in preparation for a project later in the year to re-route the river that winds through the valley and stabilise the road. But the parish council has not been informed about the scheme, said Councillor Jim Candy. Local people are now worried that if the river is diverted, the footpath linking Seaton and Hessenford could end up under water.
Cllr Candy said that Environment portfolio holder Rob Nolan was not able to answer a question about the matter at full Council meeting ‘because he hadn’t been briefed by officers’.
‘This contradicts the Council’s ‘no surprises’ policy. I’ve now asked for a direct reassurance that the path will stay open.’
In a statement to The Cornish Times, Cornwall Council said: ‘The tree works have been carried out prior to the bird nesting season, to enable the main works later in the year. The design for the river diversion and road reinforcement is still in progress, so we cannot yet confirm the expected duration or start date.’