The historic glory hole will have work done beginning next year (Picture: Google Maps)
A historic riverside attraction in Lincoln will cost £80,000 to repair after it was deemed unsafe earlier this year.
The Glory Hole walkway was initially closed in February when its wooden support beams were damaged.
Now inspectors have said it will cost an astounding £80,000 to repair the historical path by reinforcing timber piles and support beams.
Lincolnshire County Council explained limited access to the site has already resulted in delays, as they must also receive permissions from the Canals and River Trust and Environment Agency before beginning work.
Local businesses have already been affected by the lengthy closure, with hair salon owner Roger Baldam-Lucas telling Lincolnshire Live the time taken has been ‘ridiculous’.
He said: ‘It’s been a long time and it feels like delay tactics. I’m totally frustrated; it feels like they’re just padding it out until they get funding.
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‘I’m losing money, I’ve had stress with this, I’ve had inconvenience… it’s not through any fault of my own, but that of the council.’
Councillor Richard Davies said: ‘I find it puzzling that these comments are being made and that funding is being questioned in this way.
‘I can categorically say that we are not delaying any works because of money, that is a ridiculous thing to suggest.’
Lincolnshire County Council said in a statement to Metro.co.uk: ‘The council decided to start its works recently, quite some time after the walkway was closed and our investigations began.’
Mr Davies added: ‘What is being suggested is that we are dragging our feet, not doing our job. This is wrong.
‘The alternative to what we are doing is to not liaise with the agencies we have to, to not do the work in a way in line with the historic importance of the right of way, to not engage and find a solution to the problems of working in a live river with the Canal and Rivers Trust.
‘Any one of those omissions could lead to a catastrophic end result and possibly loss of life.’
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It was deemed unsafe earlier this year.