Confusion hit shoppers after a popular city centre shortcut was cut off without notice.
The well-known rat run behind the Co-op building, connecting Smithford Way and Corporation Street, has been used by pedestrians for years.
But on Friday it was blocked off by Coventry City Council and a sign placed on the gates to the entrance, which read: “No public right of way”.
The move prompted Alan East, president of the Warwickshire Law Society, to get in touch with the Telegraph.
He said: “I’ll be looking into closure of the popular shortcut.
“I’m surprised after decades of public usage that such a widely used route has arbitrarily closed.”
But, after the council was contacted by the Telegraph, the route was re-opened the council apologised for the closure which was blamed on an “overenthusiastic” member of staff.
It's a public highway and is known as Bablake Street!
