AN easy-access-for-all footpath in Winchcombe has been completed and will open to the public on Monday.

The path will afford access to and from the shops and waterside in the town and will make the process much easier for walkers with disabilities and wheelchair users.

Repairing and upgrading the path, which starts opposite Chandos Hall, came about following calls from the local community that something needed to be done. The task was taken up by the Winchcombe Walkers are Welcome group who secured £24,000 in funding to widen the path, reduce gradients and resurface it using an all-weather material. It means the slippery clay soil will no longer cause problems for people with disabilities or mums with pushchairs.

The funding largely came from Tewkesbury Borough Council (13,200 capital grant), Entrust (£9,300) with the remainder from Winchcombe Walkers are Welcome, the Cotswold Voluntary Wardens and the Gloucestershire Ramblers.

It is anticipated the path will be an attraction to the town and will be included in guides and signposted as a trail.

Secretary of WWaW Robert Talbot said: “With the support of landowners at Sudeley Castle, the town and borough councils, the local medical practice, Friends of Winchcombe, the Disabled Ramblers and others, we have managed to successfully get this project off the ground."

Tewkesbury Borough Council’s Lead Member for Health and Wellbeing Councillor Claire Wright said: “I am really pleased that we have been able to financially support this fantastic community project, which will help open up access to a beautiful riverside walk.

The path will officially be opened by Councillor Mike Dean, mayor of Tewkesbury Borough Council on November 24 at 10.30am.