COUNCIL chiefs say they are working with a property owner to resolve issues that have seen part of a Lichfield footpath closed for over a year.
Barriers have surrounded the stretch on Grange Lane for the past 12 months.
But locals have raised concerns over the longstanding issue amid fears it is causing safety concerns for pedestrians.
One resident said he had highlighted the problem with Staffordshire County Council, only for the case file to be closed after barriers were installed.
However, he added that problems still remain for pedestrians:
"The barriers are regularly being pushed or fall into the road, which remains a serious safety issue.
"Pupils on their way to The Friary School don't always cross over to the other footpath and instead go round the barriers into the road with cars passing dangerously close to them.
"Something needs to be done to resolve this issue to prevent an incident in future."
Cllr Daniel Cecil, Staffordshire County Council’s cabinet support member for highways operations south, said efforts were taking place to resolve the issue:
"This section of footway is barriered off for safety concerns due to root damage from a tree on private property and the adjacent wall.
"The barriers checked on a regular basis.
"The team is investigating this issue with the property owner. We’re aware of the frustrations of nearby residents, but we are trying to resolve the problem as soon as possible."
