Council officials are to take action on one of Whitstable’s most well-trodden footpaths after residents raised anti-social behaviour fears.

Bushes along the Stream Walk footpath, which links with Old Bridge Road, have become overgrown.

Officials from Kent County Council say they have “taken on board comments made previously about anti-social behaviour” and are now going to cut the vegetation back further.

Authority spokesman John Todd said: “We maintain this path with one cut every year.

“This time, we have taken on board comments made previously about anti-social behaviour and will cut the vegetation back further.

“To keep path users safe while the work is being carried out, we will temporarily close short sections of the path.

“The remainder of the path will be open and the whole path will be open when we have finished on each day.

“We will try to keep inconvenience to a minimum and complete the works as quickly as possible.”

The move has been welcomed by Kent Enterprise Trust director Mirelle Frost, who manages the Stream Walk community garden which runs alongside the footpath.

She said: “I am very sorry to hear that there has been antisocial behaviour along parts of Stream Walk.

“In the 18 months that I have worked at Stream Walk community garden I have not been aware of any unsociable behaviour, in fact, quite the contrary, with regular donations of seeds, plants, water butts, tools and even greenhouses from residents, who value the work of the charity in their neighbourhood.

“I am very sorry to hear that there has been antisocial behaviour along parts of Stream Walk..." - Mirelle Frost

“We welcome the cutting back as a positive thing to maintain the footpath.

“It is also a cycle route and needs to be wide enough for bikes going both ways and also pedestrians.

“The charity does not experience any anti-social behaviour at all along the stretch we lease.”

Tractors with flail-cutting equipment will be used to cut back the bushes.

The work will involve temporarily closing short sections of the path.

Work is expected to start during the October half-term, minimising the inconvenience to those who use the path during the school run.

However, a KCC spokesman was unable to confirm an exact date of work before the Gazette went to press.