A NEW soil slide has brought about the closure of a footpath little more than two months after it reopened following lengthy reinstatement work.

Recent heavy rainfall is believed to have brought about the latest displacement of earth down the restored embankment in Pelaw Wood, Durham.

The slide appears to have dropped down a culvert from the recently reopened middle footpath through the woods, taking soil cascading on the bankside below, into the adjacent River Wear.

Some of the displaced soil covered a small part of the lower footpath, alongside the riverbank, which leads from the city centre to Old Durham Gardens.

The riverside route and the higher middle path through the woods were both only reopened after a four-year closure in time for a Music in the Gardens event at Old Durham, in July.

That work was required after a major landslip, which brought trees down the bankside, following another rainy period, in 2013.

During the long period of the closure the only remaining pedestrian route through the wood was the higher path, which is less accessible to older or infirm walkers.

Following the latest displacement the middle path was closed temporarily, for up to three weeks, on Monday, with walkers reminded that the alternative higher and lower routes provide diversions.

Adrian White, Durham County Council’s head of transport and contract services, said: “Following very heavy rain, the mid-level path along the slope has been closed on a temporary basis while work is carried out.

“These repairs will take one to two weeks to complete and the path at the base of the slope will remain open while this work takes place.”

Mr White added that the latest earth fall was not an actual landslip, but was “wash-out” due to heavy rain falling before the soil on the reinstated bankside had a chance to bed in.

The lower path, which remains open, forms part of the National Cycle Network and the Weardale Way.