MORE THAN 100 campaigners vying to stop Worcestershire County Council’s proposed cycling and pedestrian bridges over the A38 have gathered at the site during their latest protest.
A petition containing 286 signatures has also been submitted, opposing the plans for the structure between Old Station Road and Harvington Road.
Doug Collins a local resident is among those calling for something to be done with the crossing and saying a ‘monster bridge wasn’t the solution’.
He added the Freedom of Information requests raised with the Highways Department had confirmed local suspicions the bridge solution was chosen before detailed work had been conducted.
Campaigners also argue the Highways Team has not looked alternative solutions after the initial consultation, that the work was ‘clearly lightweight’ and footfall data obtained by a Freedom of Information request ‘showed negligible use of the crossing by cyclists’.
They claim if the crossing was closed and the £6.23million being used on the bridge was split between the cyclists arriving on the first day of closure they would in theory each become millionaires.
Doug added: “All were asking for is the Highways Department to think again and genuinely explore the alternatives, stop claiming that when you join what is one of the worst cycle routes in Worcestershire to a third of a kilometre road crossing that it’s an Active Travel revolution for Bromsgrove.
“Please visit the site and speak with us, stop the email ping pong that just wastes your and our time.”
A fortnight ago Coun Alan Amos, Worcestershire County Council’s cabinet member with responsibility for highways, said following the conclusion of the recent pre-planning public information exercise, comments would be carefully considered before the submission of any planning applications.
He added the public would have a further opportunity to comment on the proposals as part of the statutory planning process.
