Questions asked over whether Bromsgrove needs new bridge over the A38 for cyclists and pedestrians - The Bromsgrove Standard

Questions asked over whether Bromsgrove needs new bridge over the A38 for cyclists and pedestrians

Bromsgrove Editorial 24th May, 2022   0

A BROMSGROVE cyclist has questioned Worcestershire County Council’s decision to build a new bridge across the A38, connecting Carnforth Road to Fordhouse Road.

Worcestershire County Council’s Planning and Regulatory Committee are due to discuss and vote on the proposal for a larger bridge to replace the current one at a meeting today (Tuesday, May 24).

The Standard has been contacted by lifelong cyclist Neville Billington who questions the decision to spend £6million on the structure when he says ‘there is nothing wrong with the current one’.

The county council report states the upgrade of the bridge was taking place to provide ‘dual use provision to accommodate cyclists’.




Neville, who has been using the current bridge since it was built several decades ago, said: “I have cycled across that bridge, as have many others and whilst it is being used by pedestrians.

“Never in all the times I have used it – several times-a-week – have I ever seen a problem or a collision.


“It seems unnecessary to spend that amount of cash on this project when the current bridge is perfectly fine.”

His comments were echoed by a number of people on the Standard’s Facebook page with some saying it was not needed while others branded it ‘a waste of money’.

It was also mooted that cyclists should be dismounting and walking along the bridge with their bikes, rather than riding.

Others said the cash would be better-spent on filling in potholes to make the roads safer.

Some people did say it would be welcomed as the current bridge was ‘narrow with tight turns’.

Worcestershire County Council said the bridge was being replaced so it would be comfortably wide enough to accommodate cyclists and pedestrians.

Currently – despite the bridge being on the National Cycle Route – cyclists are advised to dismount and walk across.

Coun Marc Bayliss, Worcestershire County Council’s Cabinet Member for Economy, Infrastructure and Skills, said: “The bridge would be a significant step forward in our commitment to providing improved walking and cycling infrastructure in Bromsgrove.

“We’ve already made an impressive start on improving this corridor and, if approved, the additional footbridge would go a long way to enhancing connectivity within the town.”

The bridge forms part of Phase 3 of the council’s A38 Bromsgrove Route Enhancement Programme (A38 BREP) which aims to support all road users within the corridor.

This will build upon the recent successful delivery of a comprehensive network of walking and cycling routes across the town, linking residential areas, employment sites, schools, the hospital, the town centre and the railway station.

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