After a Morrisons branch in Faversham, Kent, closed in September, Home Bargains locked an entrance to the north of the plot which had been used as a pedestrian cut-through.
The route has allowed walkers – including children on the school run – to quickly get into the town centre since the store, originally a Co-op, was built in the 1990s.
But after it was chained shut, walkers had to make a 10-minute detour along a frequently flooded and muddy path described as “an absolute disgrace”.
After being approached by KentOnline Home Bargains agreed to reopen the long-used cut-through.
Robin Sayewell, secretary of the Faversham Footpaths Group, said: “The Faversham Footpath Group are pleased to hear from KentOnline that Home Bargains are indicating they are to reopen and keep the Flood Lane gate open to the public.
“But in the meantime, the group will continue with their campaign to Kent County Council to have the footpath in Flood Lane, plus the route from Flood Lane to North Lane to become a public right of way.
“We will also push for part of the gate to be securely locked for pedestrian access only to prevent vehicles using it and for the large puddles inside the gate to be looked into.”
Despite the path being used for decades, only part of the route is officially designated as a footpath.
Both the section before and after passing through the site which is soon to be Home Bargains are public rights of way but the middle section is not officially recorded.
For a footpath to be legally recognised evidence must be submitted by those who have been using the route for at least 20 years.
The Faversham Footpath Group is currently in the process of gathering documentation on the use of the path and is actively seeking people to share their experiences.
Faversham town councillor for St Ann’s, Julian Saunders, said: “The public have used the former Morrisons site for more than 30 years to get pedestrian access from Flood Lane through to West Street and North Lane.
“It is really important that this valuable walking route to the town centre is maintained.
“I am pleased to hear that Home Bargains plans to re-open the Flood Lane gate.
“In the coming weeks, I hope there can be discussions on how this entrance can be made more pleasant and safer for residents using it and whether there are ways of closing it off to vehicles apart from when access is needed by emergency vehicles or immediate neighbours.”
A spokesperson for Home Bargains said: “We will arrange for the gate to Flood Lane to be unlocked to maintain the public right of way.”
The gate has now been unchained and pedestrians are again able to quickly make the journey from Flood Lane into the town centre.
