TWO years of effort came to fruition with the £136,500 renovation of boardwalk in Christchurch.

The Ducking Stool Walk public right of way, which runs alongside the Mill Stream, recently reopened after a major refurbishment.

The project was funded by The Kings Arms Hotel, Priory Mews Management Company, Christchurch Town Council and BCP Council.

Cllr Nigel Brooks, BCP Council lead member for high street renaissance, said: “I was happy to start to unlock the issues that residents faced and make progress to a shared financial funding settlement. This has enabled the path to be rebuilt and opened for not only the residents of Christchurch, but also importantly visitors who follow the town trail to the historic Ducking Stool on the mill run watercourse.

“Thanks to the combined efforts of Christchurch Town Council, Priory Mews Management Company and the Kings Arms Hotel, we have been able to enter into the public private partnership to finance this project.

“I would like to also take this opportunity to thank the residents of Priory Mews, and the wider Christchurch community, for their patience and understanding during the duration of this project. The new path looks great and I’m pleased that after a period of uncertainty, we were able to support this project for the benefit of everyone.”

The construction works, carried out by BCP Council’s neighbourhood services team, took around eight weeks to complete.

The replacement of the boardwalk, which has an expected design life of 25 years, has allowed the right of way to be fully adopted by BCP Council.

Town councillor and deputy mayor of Christchurch Avril Coulton said: "Now this walkway is fully open, we must thank Maureen King, chair of the Priory Mews Management Committee, who has worked tirelessly for over two years for this to come to fruition, supported by Christchurch Citizens Association and Christchurch Town Council, who has financially contributed towards this successful conclusion.”