A NEW footpath has been officially opened at a village estate.

The path links the new Summers Park development off Cox’s Hill and Colchester Road in Lawford down to the Dale Hall estate.

It means pedestrians no longer have to walk down Cox’s Hill, which has previously been branded as dangerous, to get to Manningtree Railway Station or Manningtree Town Centre.

The path also links to the Essex Way - an 82-mile walk from Harwich to Epping.

Carlo Guglielmi, Tendring and Essex County Councillor, and Dave Ashley, chairman of Lawford Parish Council cut the ribbon.

Mr Guglielmi said: “We are thrilled that consultation feedback has been incorporated into the Summers Park development, and that the wider community is already benefitting.

“This new access way provides a much-needed safe and direct route from the south of the village to the town centre.”

Rose Builders, which built the new housing estate and footpath, is also expected to complete an extension of Owls Flight Dell within weeks.