An undercliff walk that has been closed for five years is set to reopen.

A section of the Brighton Marina to Saltdean path closed in 2001 when part of the cliff behind Asda collapsed.

Brighton and Hove City Councillors agreed to reopen the walk within the next few weeks at an environment committee meeting yesterday.

Repairs to stabilise the cliffs were limited following a public inquiry as the area is a site of special interest with mammoth, woolly rhino and hippo fossils.

A risk assessment was undertaken after completion of the works to find out whether it was safe to reopen the walk. The assessment looked at risks from minor falls of flint and chalk to major collapses of the cliff face.

It showed there was an 800-fold reduction in the likelihood of a fatality in the winter and a 370-fold reduction in the summer compared to before the works - making this section of the Undercliff Walk comparable to the open undercliff walks at Saltdean, Brighton, and Sandown on the Isle of Wight.

The assessment also showed there was a 16-fold reduction in the risk of serious injury in the winter and an eight-fold reduction in the summer.

The risk of serious injury is still higher than elsewhere, particularly during the winter.

The council will monitor the cliffs and work with Brighton University to develop an early warning system for future problems. Signs at either end of the walk will warn of the risk.

Gill Mitchell, chairman of the environment committee, said: "We have not wasted any time at all between completion of the first phase of works and getting a comprehensive risk assessment. I know how valued this walk is both by local people and visitors and it will be great for people to get down there again."

Phil Belden, chairman of Brighton Urban Wildlife Group, which campaigned for the walk to be reopened, said: "This is fantastic news. That path has to be the most accessible in Brighton and Hove for everyone because it's flat and there are no steps. The only sad thing is that we should never have closed it for five years."

A cycle route could be established if councillors agree to revoke the existing bye-law banning cyclists.