29 APRIL UPDATE!! This path is now open again: “Tree work done and we have repaired the boardwalk so path now open.”
The Isle of Wight Council Public Rights of Way Team have issued the following statement:
“Please be aware we have had to close the Public Footpath called GL57 this runs between the Griffin pub in Godshill to Beech Copse. There are unsafe trees adjacent to the public path, with some trees already fallen and have broken a boardwalk, which will also need to be repaired.”
Closer inspection suggests that only the south-west fork in GL57 that goes up the slope to the wooden boardwalk and steps to bridleway GL56 is affected. There is a south-east fork to GL57 which can still be used and as such, there seems to be a simple detour.