REPAIR work on a collapsed stream embankment along a century old scenic walk in Minehead has been postponed for a month after councillors heard it would cost nearly £5,000.

Town councillors were told a bank of the Bratton Stream had slipped in Parks Walk at the Parkhouse Road entrance and had progressively deteriorated over several years.

The stream is culveted under the town centre and eventually discharges across Minehead beach into the sea.

Parks Walk is one of a number of parks and open spaces taken over by the town council from Somerset Council in May of last year.

Town clerk Ben Parker said the bank had failed where a small drainage pipe, believed to take water from the road, discharged into the watercourse.

Mr Parker said: “The damage appears to be concentrated around the pipe outfall, and it is considered likely that water escaping from the pipe has undermined the bank from behind, contributing to its collapse over time.

“While the issue does not currently represent a major structural failure or immediate risk, it is visually unsightly.

“Continued deterioration is likely to increase both the scale of the problem and the cost of any future remedial works.

“The repair is focused on the outlet of the pipe where it enters the watercourse and does not require extensive excavation, or the excavation of large areas of surrounding land.

“The proposed works are therefore relatively contained and are intended to stabilise the affected area, reinstate the collapsed bank and walling, and repair the pipe at its discharge point to prevent further erosion.

“During the winter months, the stream experiences significant increases in both water volume and flow velocity.

“It is well recognised that once water exploits a point of weakness, erosion will continue and often accelerate over time.

“It is considered advantageous to undertake the repairs during the current period of lower water levels.

“Completing the works before autumn and winter will reduce the risk of further erosion and avoid the additional challenges associated with working during periods of higher flow and storm events.”

Mr Parker said Parks Walk was one of several of the assets transferred from the unitary council which showed evidence of ‘limited historic maintenance and significant underinvestment’.

He said the quote for the work was £4,776 and there was enough to cover the sum in a town council budget for proactive improvements and maintenance in The Parks.

However, the budget was also expected to be used for planned repairs to sections of the path network, so the money could be drawn instead from a devolution fund.

Minehead Mayor Cllr Craig Palmer said he had been in touch with Somerset Council highways officers to find out if the pipe was connected to the roads network, which could mean the authority should contribute to the cost of repairs.

Councillors agree to defer for a month a decision on the repairs while the ownership situation was investigated.

Parks Walk along with Woodcombe Walk and Bratton Walk were originally part of a 13th century park.