WORK to clear a bridleway in Dorchester has been postponed until the nesting season is over after concerns raised by nearby residents.

The Duchy of Cornwall owns part of the land in York Terrace and began clearing the overgrown bridleway on Monday morning.

It was expected to take three days to complete, but workers were instructed to stop just a few hours later after a number of telephone calls from people concerned that it may disturb the habitats of birds during the nesting season.

A group of York Terrace residents had appealed for members of the public to help clear the pathway in last Saturday’s Echo, but the work has now been postponed until later this year when the bird nesting season has finished.

Duchy site manager at Poundbury Kevin Crabb Duchy said: “There were a number of phone calls from people concerned about the timing because it’s bird nesting season.

“Rather than cause any more upset I said we would hold off until later in the year.

“We got involved to improve and uplift the area and it’s just unfortunate it has caused people concern.”