Ringwood Town Council has to close and dismantle the timber boardwalk beside the Millstream in the Danny Cracknell Pocket Park. The timber has rotted in this damp environment much sooner than expected and a recent inspection revealed that it is both unsafe and beyond economic repair.

Last year the Council began preparations to replace the boardwalk with a new structure of wood-free composite materials that would preserve the attractive appearance of real hardwood but be more resilient and less prone to becoming slippery when wet.

Those plans will now be accelerated and the new boardwalk installed as soon as practicable.

This popular green space close to the town centre will remain open to public use but the Council apologises for the reduced accessibility and inconvenience that the temporary removal of the boardwalk is likely to cause some users.