THE beginning of long-awaited work to repair a coastal access path in Christchurch is now just 13 days away.

Contractors for Christchurch Borough Council are set to commence the scheme on the Highcliffe Castle zig zag rebuild on Monday, November 12.

The announced start date edges the campaign from residents towards its conclusion.

A statement from the local authority says the work is scheduled to be completed by Thursday, April 18, 2019.

Cllr Vicki Hallam, chair of Christchurch Borough Council’s Highcliffe zig zag task and finish group, said: “We are pleased to see work on rebuilding the zig-zag path beginning.

“This is an extremely complex engineering scheme and after a great deal of hard work it is fantastic to see the contractor starting work on site.

“I look forward to seeing the path reopened.”

An agenda item on the zig zag is planned for this evening’s full council, but it is due to take place with the press and public excluded.

The budget for the project of almost £900,000 was approved by councillors in February this year.

This was after a dramatic U-turn was performed by the council on whether to fund the the zig zag reconstruction.

Members of the council’s community committee narrowly voted to not fund the project due to rising costs in summer 2017.

However, a campaign followed, led in large part by members of the Rothesay Drive Residents’ Association.

After a series of subsequent meetings, members backed plans for the rebuild at the full council meeting in February.

A successful tender process was carried out by the council over the summer.

The contract for the scheme has been awarded to Fordingbridge-based firm Earlcoate Construction and Plant Hire Ltd.

Ahead of the formal start of construction work, vegetation clearance has already been completed. Information boards, including a timeline for the works, are being installed on site to keep people updated with how work is progressing.

Bob Hutchings, chairman of the Rothesay Drive Residents’ Association, said: “I’m delighted we are going to get started on the work.

“I hope we have a winter conducive to carrying out the project.

“It has been a long time since we walked down the zig zag and everyone is just as keen to get it back as at the beginning.”