PLANS to revitalise the River Colne in Halstead have been put on hold after the decision to put the country in lockdown.

The river has been branded an “eyesore” by some critics after water levels were allowed to drop, and plans to clean up the river have been greatly anticipated by residents.

Progress on the project had been made after the Environment Agency agreed to carry out work.

After delays caused by the December and January floods, the Environment Agency hoped to begin work before the end of the current financial year.

It has now been announced that the improvements have been delayed until the late summer or early autumn following the government lockdown.

Jill Curtis is a member of the Halstead River Improvement Group, which has campaigned for the river’s makeover, and carried out regular clean-up sessions.

She said: “We have been informed by the Environment Agency that it will not now be possible for the agency to undertake the planned improvement work by the mill in the current financial year.

“However, they have advised that the budget for this work will be carried over into the next financial year with a view to undertaking works in the late summer/autumn after the bird-breeding season.

“While this is disappointing, it is not entirely unexpected.”

The group has also suspended all of its volunteer clean-up sessions.

Mrs Curtis added: “In view of the Government’s current advice regarding the Covid-19 pandemic we will not be arranging any group volunteer work on the river until further notice.”

She added: “Thanks again to everyone who helped last year and conveyed a willingness to help again.

“We hope to be able to re-engage with you all in the not too distant future.

“In the meantime, keep well and do what you can to help others to do so too.”