An 'unsafe' section of one of Norfolk's flagship walking routes which has been closed for almost a decade is set to finally be restored.

Walkers on the Wherryman's Way, which runs between Norwich and Great Yarmouth, have had to take a lengthy diversion near Loddon since 2015, because of the dilapidated state of the footpath and two wooden bridges.

But Norfolk County Council has now submitted a planning application to repair the crossings and path, so the route can be re-opened.

The 1.25-mile closed section runs along a thin strip of land between the River Chet from Hardley Flood, a large area of open water.

Since 2015, walkers have had to head inland for 2.5 miles and onto local roads.

Officials say the near-decade-long delay to fix the route is because it crosses a Site of Special Scientific Interest. These are areas which have added protections from changes to the landscape.

Eastern Daily Press: Wherryman's Way Hardley Flood DiversionWherryman's Way Hardley Flood Diversion (Image: Norfolk County Council)

A council spokesman said: "In this case, the work to the surface of the footpaths is only part of it, as the repairs to the footbridges are what is taking the time.

"While the work is carried out to footbridges along the paths to make them safe for people to use the route remains closed, with the time partially a result of the protections around Hardley Flood as a Site of Special Scientifical Interest."

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The Flood is a 123-acre area of tidal lagoon and reedbeds that runs alongside the Chet, providing a 'spillway' to control the flow of water along the river at times of flooding and heavy rainfall.

Eastern Daily Press: The Berney Arms Mill on the Wherryman's Way by the River Yare The Berney Arms Mill on the Wherryman's Way by the River Yare (Image: ©Archant Photographic 2008)There are four bridges along this stretch of the Wherryman's Way, crossing water channels that run between the Chet and the Flood.

The flow of water between the two can be very fast and heavy, making the route completely impassable without the bridges.

While two of them remain in place and are passable, they require remedial work.

A third bridge no longer exists, as it collapsed into the channel. A fourth bridge is on the point of collapse and unsafe to use.

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The new planning application submitted by NCC is for repair works on the first two bridges.

The full replacement for the other two will follow later, under a separate planning application.

Eastern Daily Press: Bridge one in need of repairBridge one in need of repair (Image: Norfolk County Council)Eastern Daily Press: Bridge one in need of repairBridge one in need of repair (Image: Norfolk County Council)Eastern Daily Press: Bridge two which is in need of repairs's decking facing eastBridge two which is in need of repairs's decking facing east (Image: Norfolk County Council)Eastern Daily Press: Damage to Bridge TwoDamage to Bridge Two (Image: Norfolk County Council)

Eastern Daily Press: Map showing Hardley Flood with all four bridge locationsMap showing Hardley Flood with all four bridge locations (Image: Norfolk County Council)

Eastern Daily Press: Swans on Hardley Flood by Nick ButcherSwans on Hardley Flood by Nick Butcher (Image: Nick Butcher)

 

WHERRYMAN'S WIGGLE

The 37.5-mile walking route runs along the banks of Breydon Water and the River Yare all the way between Norwich and Great Yarmouth.

However, when the path reaches the Chet, walkers must head 3.5 miles along its meandering course up to the town of Loddon, before returning on the opposite bank back to the Yare.

Eastern Daily Press: Hardley Mill Hardley Mill (Image: (c) copyright citizenside.com)

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Close to the mouth of the Chet stands Hardley Cross, a stone monument which traditionally marked the boundary of jurisdiction between Norwich and Great Yarmouth.

A marker, of some form or other, has stood here since the 1400s.Eastern Daily Press: Hardley Cross by Julian ClaxtonHardley Cross by Julian Claxton (Image: Julian Claxton)The cross was repaired in 1820, 1884 and 1899 when the fence was erected around it.

It received further attention in 1990 and the bank was strengthened as the cross was in danger of falling into the river.

To view the plans in full search the following reference in the Broads Authority's planning portal: BA/2024/0052/FUL

Eastern Daily Press: Hardley Mill, Southern Broads. Picture: Julian ClaxtonHardley Mill, Southern Broads. Picture: Julian Claxton (Image: Julian Claxton Photography 2012)