RESIDENTS and politicians appear to be winning the battle to get a popular nature walk reopened to the public.

A section of Bunchley’s footpath, which runs between South Hatfield and Welham Green, had been blocked by the Homes and Communities Agency (HCA), with forbidding signs warning walkers the land was private.

In recent weeks, many residents signed declarations claiming they had used the pathway for decades.

But after pressure from Welwyn Hatfield MP Grant Shapps, the HCA has agreed to change the wording of the signs and allow residents to pass, albeit at their own risk.

Mr Shapps said: “I’m now hopeful that this path is going to re-open for us locals to use once again.”