Frustrated cyclists are demanding action after parts of the canal towpath were closed off again forcing them back onto busy roads.

The towpath only recently reopened following a lengthy closure after a retaining wall collapsed sending stones cascading onto the scenic path.

Now, just weeks after the wall was fixed, the popular route has been fenced off for safety reasons after CWaC inspectors discovered “dangerous” areas of sandstone hanging under the historic City Walls, close to the Northgate bridge.

It is not yet clear when the picturesque route will be reopened to the public, as Cheshire West and Chester Council (CWaC) say they are currently in talks with the Canal and River Trust (CRT) as to how and when the unsafe overhang should be fixed.

Cyclists who use the popular route have been frustrated by the closure, saying they have been forced to cycle on dangerous roads and pavements in the city to avoid the closed section, which had only been open for one month after being closed for almost a year for the previous works.

Sarah Davis, who uses the cycle path daily to cycle to work, said she was shocked to find her route blocked by a man in an orange suit as she was cycling to work earlier this month.

“It was closed for nearly a year, I was going into work and it was closed again,” said Sarah, who lives in Blacon.

“There was a workman, he said it was closed to remove vegetation, he said it would be closed for a week but that was a long time ago now.

“I am having to come off at the roundabout near Total Fitness instead, it is quite a busy road, I don’t like going on it to be fair.”

Chester Cycling Campaign, who are working towards safer routes for riders within the city, posted a message on their website slating the council for treating cyclists as “second class citizens” with cyclists having no idea which alternative route to take as there are no signs in place.

“The lack of a signed alternative route and the lack of information about the length of the closure once again reinforces the feeling that Chester cyclists are second class citizens,” the message reads.

“Signs and diversions are regularly put in place for motorists whenever roadworks take place in Chester.

“It would be great if the same could be done routinely when cycle routes are closed!”

A spokesperson for CRT said: “The Trust has temporarily closed the towpath between Northgate and St Oswald's Flyover Bridge 123E Cow Lane along the Shropshire Union Canal in Chester due to concerns on the instability of the rock face.

“A short diversion is in place while we work to re-open the path as soon as possible.”

A spokesperson for CWaC said: “This current closure is not for the same reasons as the previous closure.

“The towpath was previously closed due to the collapse for the retaining wall within the grounds of a privately owned property.

“As part of a routine inspection of the walls we identified on the rock face some dangerous areas of sandstone. We are in talks with the Canal and River Trust as to how we can go forwards.”