THE FOOTBRIDGE to Newbold Comyn is to be replaced with a bigger and better one – but not until the summer at the earliest.
Warwick District Council has been working on a plan of action about how to fix the bridge at the Radford Road entrance to the country park in Leamington.
And now WDC has announced that permission will be sought from the Cabinet on December 6 to release the funding required for the installation of a new, improved, and wider, 3.5metre cycle friendly replacement bridge.
Following investigations with specialist contractors and communications with the Environment Agency, a ‘quick fix’ solution to re-instating pedestrian access to Newbold Comyn has been ruled out.
The Environment Agency also highlighted that due to protected salmonids in the river certain works cannot take place between October 1 and June 15.
If Cabinet approves the plans, a complex process of securing the planning permissions and permits needed from the relevant authorities will begin, with an earliest installation date for a new bridge estimated to be late summer 2024, with the completion time determined by a number of ecological factors.
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.
“Work is still continuing to look at different temporary crossing solutions, but they are dependent on a number of environmental factors which unfortunately fall outside of the district council’s remit.”
Pedestrians are advised to continue to use the alternative entrances to Newbold Comyn from the Willes Road or Newbold Terrace East.
The footbridge on Radford Road but had to be closed in August on safety grounds.
