'Unsafe to use' - West Sussex village footpath closed for six months after landslip
A 2.26km stretch of public footpath in the village of Rusper has been closed for six months.
This comes after a landslip made it unsafe and halted planned resurfacing work, according to a public notice.
West Sussex County Council’s temporary closure order covers public footpath No. 1492 between Friday Street and High Street. The order came into effect on October 10, 2026.
The notice states: "The order is necessary to protect public safety due to a landslip having halted planned resurfacing works and making the path unsafe to use.
“Unfortunately there are no alternative routes available using the Public Rights of Way network.”
An earlier closure notice said part of the path had eroded into an adjacent watercourse, and that further landslips had damaged the path and surrounding woodland.
The council said drainage improvements were needed to stabilise the adjoining land. An earlier council works programme identified drainage and bank reinforcement work on the footpath in Horsegills Wood.
Anyone with questions about how the closure affects footpath users can contact the council’s Rights of Way Team on 01243 777620.
The council lists the path as closed until April 9, 2027. But this is not a confirmed date for completing the resurfacing.
You can keep up to date with footpath closures, traffic notices, planning proposals and other public notices in your area at publicnoticeportal.uk.