A PUBLIC footpath will remain closed for a further six months for bridge repair works.

Footpath 55, which crosses the water meadows from the Castleman Trailway to Hampshire Hatches at Ringwood, has been closed since mid-March.

Hampshire County Council is undertaking bridge repair works at the site and the footpath was originally supposed to reopen on August 24.

However, the temporary closure has been extended by six months until February 24 of next year as work continues.

According to the planning documents, the council says “reasonable facilities will be provided to allow access to adjacent premises while the work is being carried out”.

While the order has been extended for six months, the council said work could be completed sooner than this.