A TEMPORARY public footpath has been opened in the centre of High Wycombe next to the Sainsbury's redevelopment site.

The path is on the northern side of the A40 and will allow pedestrians to walk along Oxford Road from its junction with Archway to its junction with Bellfield Road.

The previous footpath had been closed as the road was widened during construction of the superstore's new steel framework fronting Oxford Road.

Sainsbury's says the temporary path will be maintained until a 'new and improved permanent footpath' is opened when the new store is completed in late summer 2009.