IMPROVEMENTS will be made to a popular walking route in Weymouth.

South Dorset Ramblers have obtained a grant of £11,400 for works to the public right of way at the RSPB Reserve at Radipole in Weymouth, which will improve access to, and passage through, the reserve throughout the year.

The public right of way starts at the RSPB Discovery Centre, in the Swannery Car Park near to Weymouth Railway Station and runs through to Kingfisher Bridge.

Other paths run off this to other parts of the reserve.

The funding has been obtained by South Dorset Ramblers, with help from the East Berkshire Ramblers Endowment Fund.

The improvement works should take place in September and October and will be managed by Dorset Council.

The initial idea was suggested by RSPB volunteer, Dave Morphew and the proposal was produced by South Dorset Ramblers member, David Northam, and supported by South Dorset Ramblers, RSPB Weymouth and Dorset Council.

A spokesperson for the Ramblers said: "The reserve is an oasis of wildlife in the heart of Weymouth, and we believe the improvement works will enable more people, both residents and holidaymakers, to enjoy its delights and to meet nature.

"The project will improve access to one of Weymouth’s unique and hidden treasures.

"Making the path more accessible throughout the year should benefit nearby residents at Westham and Southill and will provide links to the extensive network of paths alongside the River Wey and on the South Dorset Ridgeway.

"The surface improvements to the path and the improved signage will ease access to the footpath network from the heart of Weymouth."

David Northam is a Weymouth and Dorset Councillor but also a member of South Dorset Ramblers.

He said: "There is a public right of way through the RSPB Reserve in Weymouth.

"It floods, it has potholes and it is some time since it was resurfaced.

"The money will go towards raising the footpath, putting in camber for draining and filling the potholes. 

"The path will be raised just a couple of inches.

"It will still flood periodically, but that is because it is the overflow that stops the park district flooding.

"The work will only take a week and we hope it should be completed in September, we didn't want it being done in the peak summer period."