FOOTPATH renewal work along the Avon Valley path on Harnham Slope, Salisbury, was halted on Friday, after residents rallied together and voiced their anger at the lack of public consultation over the project.

Locals have been left aghast at the two-metre wide gravel path being constructed along the old footpath between Folkestone Road and the chalk pit in Harnham, without their prior knowledge or consent.

The current pathway is being made more accessible, particularly for people with disabilities, but work has been stopped until those residents affected by the work have been given the chance to voice their concerns to project manager David Thomas, of Salisbury's joint transportation team.

A spokeswoman for the Harnham residents said: "The main thing is that nobody was consulted and nobody was able to get a straight answer.

"When you don't consult the people who are affected by this sort of thing, you are bound to get problems."

Residents were also angered by the manner in which they say contractors Ringway Parkman left machinery and diggers unprotected at night, and the damage being done to the local wildlife and environment.