THE GO-HEAD has been given to a new and improved footbridge to Newbold Comyn in Leamington.
The new bridge, at the Radford Road entrance to the country park, will be bigger and better than the existing one which had to be closed in August on safety grounds.
Warwick District Council has been working on a plan of action about how to fix the bridge ever since.
The council had hoped to be able to repair the existing bridge but following investigations with specialist contractors, a ‘quick fix’ solution to re-instating pedestrian access to Newbold Comyn had to be ruled out.
WDC was left with no option but to replace the bridge and members of the Cabinet decided at a meeting on Wednesday December 6 that, due to the fact the footbridge was also an essential piece of the National Cycle Network, now was the chance to upgrade it.
Councillors approved a new, 3.5metre cycle friendly replacement bridge but the earliest installation date is estimated to be late summer 2024, chiefly due to ecological factors.
The Environment Agency highlighted that due to protected salmonids in the river certain works could not take place between October 1 and June 15.
And putting a temporary bridge in place while a new bridge was under construction was ruled out due to budget restraints.
WDC neighbourhood services spokesperson Coun Will Roberts, said: “We recognise the inconvenience and impact that the closure of this bridge is having on local residents.
“Securing a safe and viable replacement option is more challenging than we had anticipated, and having explored all of the options, building a new and improved bridge which meets Sustrans cycling standards and is in close proximity to the new road crossing will greatly improve access to Newbold Comyn for everyone.”
Pedestrians will have to continue to use the alternative entrances to Newbold Comyn from the Willes Road or Newbold Terrace East.
