FEARS a popular riverside walk could be lost for good have been increased after the closure date has been extended.

A public notice has appeared at The Slip entrance in Northwick stating that the Secretary of State for the Department for Transport has rubber stamped a continuation of the closure.

Residents are fighting to get the path reinstated after it was closed by Worcestershire County Council because of natural erosion five months ago.

The original order was due to run out on Saturday, October 2 but the extension will mean it could potentially remain closed for another two years.

It will be a blow to local campaigners who had hoped to have the path opened as soon as possible as it can now remain closed until October 1, 2023 at the latest.

But the county council has reinforced that it is still looking for a long term solution to the riverside path.

A spokesperson for Worcestershire County Council said, “We have extended an order closing Footpath WR-810.

"This order is currently in place until 1 October 2023.

"We are working on possible long term solutions for the area, but while that happens the path needs to remain closed for public safety."

The sign reads: "Notice is hereby given that the order made by Worcestershire County Council on 25 March 2021, the effect of which is to close that part of Footpath (...) which was due to expire on 2 October 2021, has been continued in force with the approval of Secretary of State for the Department for Transport until the works to which it relates have been completed or until 1 October 2023, which ever is sooner."

Previously, councillor Alan Amos has said there are 'no current plans to close the footpath."

However, an 8ft steel fence has since appeared at the entrance in Northwick Lido due to 'recent incidents of criminal damage'.

Safety barriers and signs have been intentionally damaged at the site which remains closed off.

Handmade signs have gone up begging for its return reading: "Can we have our riverside walk back please".

The path is closed between the entrance near Chacewater Avenue and to the gate at Northwick Lido.

There is still no date for the reopening of the path which has been closed because of natural erosion near Northwick Marina.