WORK to improve a much-loved riverside walk in Hadleigh marks the start of a long term plan to conserve the route for future generations, it was promised today.

WORK to improve a much-loved riverside walk in Hadleigh marks the start of a long term plan to conserve the route for future generations, it was promised today.

Babergh District Council has called in a contractor to begin selected felling, coppicing and replanting work alongside the River Brett.

As well as improving the safety and attractiveness of the site, the work will form the basis of a new long term management plan.

Council horticultural services manager, Mark Tavernor, said: "We aim to ensure that the walk is both safe and attractive to visitors in the short term and is effectively conserved and enhanced in the

longer term."

The previous ten year management plan of the area has now run its course.

After detailed survey work by a number of specialist groups, the council is beginning to develop a new long term management plan that seeks to deliver sustainable improvements to the Riverside Walk over the next ten years as well as laying out priorities for the nect 30 years.

Coppicing of the existing willow beds to promote regeneration is already

complete.

Other immediate improvement plans will include replanting, cutting back trees that over hang the path and felling some trees on the picnic area near to Toppesfield Bridge.