RESIDENTS are fighting against the closure of a long-used footpath in Walton.

The alley walkway cutting the corner and linking Newgate Street and New Pier Street has been closed off.

But some people claim to have been using the walkway for decades and have started a campaign to have it reopened and added to the definitive map.

Frinton and Walton Town Council will act as a neutral party to collate the evidence statement and process it.

The evidence will be passed to Essex County Council, which controls the definitive map.

The town council has been a part of previous and current applications to have routes added to the map.

But councillors debated whether they should become involved in the dispute before ultimately agreeing to act as an agent in the proceedings.

Deputy mayor Jack Robertson said: “There are a number of footpath applications already in progress in the area.

“If we get involved it might seem like we are taking sides.”

But Walton councillor Delyth Miles said: “We have already been involved in other applications like this and the precedent has been set.

“We can’t use other experiences as a reason not to help other residents.

“They just want the council to process it, nothing more. Isn’t that what we are here for, to provide a service and help out our councillors?”