A popular coastal walk is set to close over concerns about the height and weight of trees along the route contributing to further landslides.

The Zig Zag path in Folkestone is one of the few accessible trails allowing access from The Leas down to the Lower Leas Coastal Park and the beach.

However, residents have raised fears about the height and weight of several trees along the path and the potential damage it could cause if they collapsed.

It follows several incidents across the town in recent weeks.

Now, it has been confirmed the area will shut down while assessments on how to stabilise the area and work on the trees take place - although no dates have been confirmed yet.

Claire Harris, 42, from Folkestone, is glad to see proactive action being taken regarding the path.

She told KentOnline: “It’s all about preserving it. The Zig Zag Path is one of my favourite bits of Folkestone and is worth saving.

“What they’ve done with this area has been such a draw, and it brings a lot of people to Folkestone.

“Its heritage is huge for tourists, so it’s worth investing in.”

Rosanne Dwyer agreed, as she uses the Adventure Playground, which only recently reopened after the ground at the top of the cliff above the park on Maderia Walk collapsed.

She said: “I think a lot of people come here and use the park so it’d be good to fix it before it does get any worse.

“For accessibility, I think any closure would be a shame because I don’t think people would be able to access the park as easily as they could. There are not many other parks in this part of Folkestone.”

It is hoped that the Zig Zag path won’t follow the same fate as other coastal parts of Folkestone this winter.

Cow Path and Maderia Walk remain closed after debris fell from landslides, making the paths dangerous or impassable.

Meanwhile, a larger collapse has closed the Road of Remembrance since mid-February with no signs of it reopening any time soon.

Only last week, parts of the Warren promenade were fenced off with huge cracks appearing in the walkway due to ground movements under the path.

South Kent Harriers Running Club regularly uses Cow Path and Maderia Walk for the park run.

Mike Hayley, 70, one of the club’s founding members, said, “Not having the path would be a bit of a blow to our running club but if they’re going to spend the money anywhere, first and foremost, it ought to be here.

“We've got a Green cabinet and a Green local authority, so you think footpaths would be important.

“The paths are a large part of Folkestone's attraction. Cow Path was my favourite walk until it slipped down, and if anything similar were to happen here, we’d be in big trouble.

“I understand that the Road of Remembrance is a county highways issue, but I’d rather they just block it off and let people walk up and down it. You could live without that.”

A spokesperson for Folkestone and Hythe District Council (FHDC) said: “Work to reduce the height of some trees in the Zig Zag Path area is planned - residents will be informed via our usual channels as they progress.”

In papers prepared before this month's FHDC full council meeting, Cllr Jeremy Speakman (Green) provided an update on the Road of Remembrance and sections of the coastal park, which are expected to remain closed for several months.

Both areas are undergoing a LIDAR - light detection and ranging - survey to highlight any areas of further concern and inform a programme of work to reduce the risk of future landslides.

FHDC and Kent County Council have not released any details relating to the closure dates.