THE closure of a footpath which runs alongside a rifle range in Monmouthshire could be extended.

Monmouthshire council issued an emergency closure of the Severnside Range footpath south of Caldicot last December to protect the safety of walkers. A public footpath runs through the range, close to the flood defence wall, but it is impassable and potentially dangerous having been rendered unavailable by historic engineering works.The path was closed following an increasing number of walkers not keeping to the designated path and walking on top of the sea wall, straying into the neighbouring firing range and putting themselves in danger.It has been closed until December 23 by a temporary traffic regulation order.MCC is trying to extend the order and has launched a consultation to gather information about any unrecorded paths at the site and the immediate area. The authority has a legal duty to keep the Definitive Map and Statement (DM&S)- the legal document recording public paths - under continuous review.