A PATH to a Christchurch beach which is closed for structural reasons will have to be entirely replaced due to severely rotting timbers.

And routine inspections of the other paths across the borough have also revealed another serious defect to a disabled ramp at Friars Cliff.

The zig zag path running from Highcliffe Castle to the beach was closed at the end of the summer over safety concerns.

A report to last week's policy and resources committee said an indepedent engineers report at the end of August recommended immediate closure of the path.

The replacement structure will need to use more durable materials such as metal piles and hardwood, it said.

"The severity of the rot dictates that this should be undertaken as a matter of urgency to prevent a catastrophic failure of the revetment and subsequent permanent closure of the path.

"Any failure of the revetment has the potential to cause serious injury", the report added.

It is likely the work to replace the path will be split into three phases.

Members of the committee approved a budget of £65,000 for the first two phases of the work.

This includes removing the most dangerous sections of the path at Highcliffe and the soil behind it.

A replacement design needs to be carried out by a specialist consultant engineer in consultation with Natural England.

Ground investigations including boreholes and soil samples would also need to take place.

The third phase of the work - and the most expensive at around £300,000 - would see the Highcliffe zig zag ramp replaced over the winter.

Members also heard that a "serious defect" was found with the disabled ramp at Friars Cliff, and although repairs have been carried out, major works need to be done in the "near future".

This would cost around £70,000 and would not be finished until March 2018.

A report will be brought to a later meeting of the committee to discuss the phase three funding and design for Highcliffe and Friars Cliff.