Residents have reacted with anger after a homeowner blocked a footpath while carrying out an extension. 

The pathway, which leads from Middleton Avenue in Chingford to Marmion Close, is jointly-owned by residents who own garages along the route.

It provides a well-used cut-through for parents whose children attend Chase Lane Primary School and pupils at Chingford Foundation School. 

According to the council, owners of the footpath should have been consulted. 

Josh Reka, who claimed to be the homeowner, told the Guardian he only asked his next door neighbour for permission before he blocked the path with corrugated iron.  

Residents said they now have to take a 10-minute detour to access garages at the back of their homes. 

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The loft conversion showing the blocked pathway in Marmion Close 

Mr Reka, 56, said: "I have blocked it for health and safety reasons.

"If someone gets injured by a falling brick, it is my fault and I will end up in court.

"I understand it is a footway for the people but it is a danger to the public.

"I asked my next door neighbour and he said it was fine. The council have visited and told me I have permission.

"It will be closed for about two weeks."

A decision is yet to be made on Mr Reka's application for the roof to be extended.

A council spokesman, said: "Planning have said they have a Lawful Development Certificate application for a roof extension. 

"This has not been determined yet and the planning officer has not visited the site.

"If works have commenced, then this is entirely at the owners risk and they may face enforcement action if the works they are carrying out are not permitted development."

Co-owner of the pathway, Joy Waddingham, has lived in Middleton Avenue for nine years.  

She said: "We all have part ownership of the grounds, ever since the houses were built in the 1930s.

"Nobody has a final say. 

"My 82 year-old mother lives in Marmion Close and urgently needed me the other day and I was not able to get to her quickly. 

"We should be able to access our own garages without having to walk 10 minutes when they are just yards from everyone's back garden." 

Mother-of-three Joanne Faint, 42, of Middleton Avenue, said: "It is not his decision to declare it a health and safety issue when the scaffolding has been up for weeks. 

"If he does not take it down, we will be removing it ourselves. 

"So many parents use it as it is convenient and safer than using the main roads.

"He should not be able to make that choice for everybody else." 

Eren Enrique, 27, of Cherrydown Avenue, uses the cut-through every day to walk his husky on the large green in Marmion Close. 

He said: "One house should not be able to block a public pathway which is used every day by so many people. 

"I think it is horrible he has blocked it off."

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