‘Vital’ footbridge used by 500 people daily to be replaced as council agrees £200k for project

A “vital” footbridge used by more than 500 people a day will be replaced near Tewkesbury as civic chiefs approve £200,000 for the project.

The footbridge which connects Mitton to Northway Lane serves as a vital thoroughfare according to Tewkesbury Borough Council who own it.

It is just over the border in Worcestershire but is used daily by schoolchildren commuting to and from Tewkesbury Comprehensive School and workers going to and from the Northway Lane industrial area.

A structural engineer assessed the condition of the bridge which crosses Carrant Brook in December 2023. And they deemed the structure was deemed sound but there was significant deterioration in the decking plates and balustrade brackets.

Immediate repairs were carried out but since then, the bridge has undergone periodic inspections, with extra maintenance undertaken.

However, council officers feel continued use without comprehensive replacement will likely accelerate the deterioration and immediate action is needed to ensure safety and reliability.

Finance and asset management lead member Stewart Dove (LD, Churchdown St John), who presented the report at last night’s (July 29) cabinet meeting, said replacement of the footbridge which is a key walking route for schoolchildren.

He said around 500 people use it each day and the bridge has been in need of regular maintenance for a couple of years.

“The bridge is owned by this council and has been in place for over 50 years,” he said.

“I think we can all say it has served us quite well but it is now in need of replacement.”

He said they could repair the bridge at a cost of £135,000 which would extend the life of the bridge by another 30 years.

But it would be more cost effective to replace it entirely at a cost of £190,000 for a lifespan of more than 40 years.

He said £200,000 would be allocated from the capital budget due to the time elapsed and to “allow for some contingency for any unforeseen issues”.

Officers are exploring the possibility of using developer contribution funding from developments and money would be put back in reserve.

The works would go ahead during school holidays.

Councillor Philip Workman (I, Tewkesbury North and Twyning) who seconded the proposal, said it was a very popular bridge.

“It’s used every day by students from the comprehensive school backwards and forwards from Tewkesbury to Mitton and the workforce in the industrial estate.

“It is used hugely and it has been subject to holes appearing over the last few years.

“It’s really great it is being put back as it was 50 years ago.”

Councillor Ian Yates (LD, Churchdown Brookfield with Hucclecote) asked why the Borough Council was paying for it.

“I thought footpaths and bridges were all a matter for the County Council,” he said.

Cllr Dove said it is right that often footbridges are owned and maintained by Gloucestershire County Council.

“In this case, however, and it is a bit quirky. The actual bridge falls in the county of Worcestershire so Gloucestershire County Council aren’t that interested in it.

“But also, we bought it many, many years ago. I’m told in 1906.

“We have full ownership of that bridge and indeed the footpaths around it so it very much squarely sits with us and that is why we need to be doing the work.”

The council voted unanimously to approve spending £200,000 to replace the bridge.