A PROJECT to rejuvenate a riverside walk is underway.

SOMETIMES the best things in life are free.

Walking is one of them, and thanks to a project led by Braintree District Council a popular riverside walk is to undergo a major revamp.

As part of its Green Heart of Essex campaign, the council is leading the landscape management project for the Hedingham Riverside Walk, using funds allocated to the development of the walk from Section 106 funding.

The work, which has already begun this month, will clear the existing path of bramble and scrub, widen the path to ensure it remains accessible throughout the year, check trees to remove potential hazards, and divert some sections of the existing route, both to improve views along its length for walkers and enable the area’s reed beds, a national priority habitat, to be extended.

As part of a longer term plan to encourage more walkers to enjoy the route, work is due to start on the construction of an improved path surface in late Spring, making it more accessible for users in all weathers.

Cabinet member for the Green Heart of Essex Wendy Schmitt said: “This is great news for everyone who cares about the countryside and wants to see local natural areas well looked after and accessible to all.”

The Hedingham Riverside Walk Group, the community group that helps take care of the area, also recently won �3750 funding from the Green Heart Local Awards to help volunteers look after and manage the site.

If you would like to help out – contact Adrian Corder-Birch on 01787 462568.

The walk borders the River Colne as it runs through Sible Hedingham. It covers the area between Alderford Street to the south and the new Wimpey development to the north.

It can be accessed from Summerfields, the road next to the Co-op in Swan Street.