Work on a replacement footbridge at Stiffkey has been delayed due to a legal agreement process.

Work was due to start between September 2 and 6 with the removal of a "fairy bridge" that was mysteriously erected as a substitute for a footbridge that was deemed unsafe by the National Trust in 2022.

However, the work is yet to commence as North Norfolk District Council says the process has been held up due to a "legal agreement procedure".

News of the delay was revealed in an email exchange between North Norfolk District Council and members of the Rebuild Stiffkey Marsh Bridge Facebook Group, who asked the reason behind the delay.

READ MORE: Stiffkey bridge application made by National Trust

The NNDC senior planning officer said in an email: "Determination has been held up slightly due to the legal agreement process.

"However, a decision should be issued early next week."

Local campaigner Ian Curtis said: “Every day from now on is a delay. We haven’t heard anything about the fairy bridge coming down.

“No sign of nothing, no notices, no nothing.

Ian Curtis standing on the fairy bridge (Image: Denise Bradley)

“They should have been down there starting by now."

The National Trust planning application for the replacement footbridge was received by the district council on 31 May. 

The removed wooden footbridge had been used to cross the salt marshes at Stiffkey for more than half a century and its removal two years prompted outrage in the village, sparking a row with has pitted locals against the trust.