LEADING Liberal Democrat councillor Jessie Jagger has posed questions over the near two-year closure of the footpath along Northwick Slip.
Coun Jagger acknowledged the ongoing efforts of Coun Mel Allcott in seeking a resolution to the closure issue.
Commending her persistence and patience, Coun Jagger expressed confidence in her ability to find a resolution.
However, recognising the importance of the matter, Coun Jagger felt compelled to add her voice to the discussions and seek answers to lingering questions.
While there is no evidence of wrongdoing or negligence by developers, she said residents in Claines were sceptical about the collapse being solely attributed to natural causes.
Coun Jagger sought clarity on the methodology and data used to reach the conclusion the landslip was caused by natural erosion.
Additionally, she wished to ascertain whether an engineer could categorically rule out non-natural causes for the footpath collapse.
The removal of steps leading to the footpath was deemed an act of petty theft and no culprit has been found.
Coun Jagger inquired whether the specialist engineer investigated a potential link between this theft and riverbank erosion.
If so, she sought information on the conclusions drawn by the engineer and the supporting evidence.
She said: “It’s important these questions are addressed openly to dispel any lingering doubts among residents.
“Unless these questions are openly asked and answered, concerns will continue to fester.
“While I’m not expecting immediate responses, I have asked the chair of the relevant committee and the relevant officer to address these questions in writing.”
