A GROUP of outraged residents are taking to Facebook to campaign against the closure of a footpath in a popular beauty spot that they say has been used for decades.

Worcestershire County Council closed the riverside footpath in the Northwick Lido, known locally as The Slip, due to safety concerns from a landslip.

The path was closed four months ago and there is no date for it to be reopened.

But signs showing the path has been closed have recently been moved as the row rumbles on - with residents angry that it is not just the riverside footpath that is closed, but also a field that contains a little 'beach' area that is popular with walkers, dogs and families.

One campaigner Justin Lee said: "They have tried to close off this horse field, which has full public access and is absolutely no danger. People are ignoring this closure, and rightfully so."Worcester News: DEFIANT: Residents are thought to have moved the signs in an act of defiance after losing their beloved walking path

Steve Hutchinson said: "I have walked along this footpath for 60 years.

"I also canoe past the section that the council have said is eroded and can see that there is nothing going on to repair it.

"The area is now badly overgrown having been left for four months and the steps leading up to the road have been destroyed."

Tracy Green said: "My family and I always did that walk with our dog. We miss it so much. We need to push for it to be re-opened."

Two eco homes have been built in Northwick Marina and are now up for sale - near to where the path has been closed.

Charlotte Brennan said: "I don't know of any other sections of the river in this area that has been closed other than here - where the public path crosses private land."

A Worcestershire County Council spokesman said: "The path is currently closed on safety grounds.

"A specialist engineer has inspected the site and considers the landslip is due to natural erosion from the river.

"We are currently considering options and at this point, we are not in a position to give a timescale for the reopening of the path.

"The path is legally closed for public safety reasons.

"If the public are removing signs or accessing the site they are risking their own and the safety of others and we would advise them not to do so.”

In a tweet posted on March 11, the council highways department said: "Unfortunately, the riverside public right of way, Worcester WR-810, in Northwick, has had to be closed on safety grounds.

"A section of the path has collapsed due to erosion of the riverbank.

"Engineers are assessing the damage but it is likely it will be closed for some time."