A footpath which has been closed for almost a year still cannot reopen due to risks of wall collapse.

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 Tuesday with Sussex Police in attendance, after Brighton and Hove City Council sent a letter updating the residents of Woodland Drive.

Councillor Trevor Muten, cabinet member for transport, parking and the public realm, wrote in the letter: ”We have been working with the resident and their insurance company to get it reopened.

“We now believe a solution has been found which will see the footpath reopened soon.”

However, further structural issues were discovered and a row broke out with another neighbour who states the twitten is private.

After complaints from 80 local residents who wish to use the footpath again, the council sought legal advice and said it will be issuing 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.

The Order is pursuant to s53(3)(a) Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981  (Image: Woodland Drive Twitten Action Group)

Cllr Muten said: “We had intended to clear and re-open the path on Tuesday, however when inspecting the site it became clear that other sections of the wall are at risk of collapse and so we have unfortunately had to keep it closed until the area has been made safe by the wall’s owner, which may require legal action to be undertaken.

“We are working to get the path re-opened as quickly as possible.”

The Argus understands that this is due to one of the walls on 56 Woodland Drive's property collapsing on the footpath. The Argus also understands that the property has been vacant causing further delays to the repair of the wall.

Samer Bagaeen, one of the ward councillors, said: “I am of course very disappointed for the residents and am waiting to hear the detail of what transpired.

"The council would have known the path remained unsafe on Tuesday 10th so clarity on next steps and time frame would be helpful."

 In October, the closure was taken over by the resident’s insurance company (Image: Supplied)

Conservative councillor for Westdene and Hove Park, Ivan Lyons, said since the wall fell down in October 2023, he has hit a wall of “ineptitude and procrastination” for much of that period.

He said: “Residents and the ward councillors have been totally exasperated at the delay for the repair and it has affected businesses within Woodland Parade too.

“We were told that the contractors and police left the twitten after only a couple of hours this week, since the wall on 56’s boundary was unsafe. We all knew that ten months ago.

“Unfortunately, the cabinet member for transport and parking has not been as active as residents have requested, which is even more surprising given that he lives close by.”

Cllr Trevor Muten and Cllr Ivan Lyons speaking with residents of Woodland Drive (Image: Cllr Ivan Lyons) On September 13 another meeting was held by councillors outside the twitten which saw more than 50 residents turn up.

Cllr Trevor Muten and Cllr Ivan Lyons were both in attendance and explained to the concerned residents the reasons for the delayed reopening.

Sussex Police were called for a second time in a week, after the councillors were barraged with abusive language and insults from an angry resident who was not attending the event.

Cllr Ivan Lyons with residents Infront of the footpath Cllr Lyons said:" It was such a last-minute meeting we had no idea who would turn up, but to our pleasant surprise there were over 50 residents.

"I was pleased to see Cllr Trevor Muten come and speak with the residents and explain the situation, but quite alarming to learn that the matter was only brought to his attention three weeks ago, when this has been going on since October last year.

"It begs the question, how many other twittens and pathways within the city does the council not own and are potential land grabs?"