Kim BriscoeThe refurbishment of an attractive riverside area in Thorpe St Andrew has been delayed by several hurdles.Kim Briscoe

The refurbishment of an attractive riverside area in Thorpe St Andrew has been delayed by several hurdles.

Thorpe St Andrew Town Council has been working towards a revamp of the River Green area in Yarmouth Road.

However, the project has made slow progress due to several factors, a meeting heard this week.

Mayor Russell James, in his report at the council's annual public meeting on Tuesday, told how the first part of the project is to replace the posts and railings along River Green.

But where tree roots have spread to the railing post holes cannot be dug as they could damage the roots.

Instead posts have to be inserted into metal spikes.

The plan required a survey of all of the trees, as it is a conservation area, and that has established that there are bats in some of the trees.

There is also a problem with rats, which are attracted by the grain and bread left by people feeding birds daily.

The River Green project includes plans to refurbish the war memorial, and discussions are underway on whether to provide a separate plaque to commemorate any local men and women who had died on active service since the second world war.