ALLOTMENT owners are struggling to get to their plots because of an overgrown and uneven footpath.

Green-fingered gardeners are furious after it was revealed work on the path in King George’s Avenue would not be completed by Essex Highways until an unknown date later in the year.

Fellow plot owner Malcolm Crowther is allergic to stinging nettles and is equally concerned about the state of the walkway.

“I have to be hellishly careful when trying to access the allotment and at this time of the year it is quite a challenge,” he said.

“If I was to be stung I would come out in a rash or worse I could suffer anaphylactic shock where my lips and throat could swell up."

A spokesman for Essex Highways said: “The Public Rights of Way vegetation cutting and clearance work for this year targets 310 miles of priority paths which will be completed later this week.

“A further 2,050 miles of Public Rights of Way will be cut throughout the remaining summer months, with a final cut of 186 miles of priority paths in September and October.

“This footpath in Harwich will be included in the cutting programme but it is not possible to specify at present when the work will be undertaken.”