A bridge too far?

Dennis Downey, who runs a walks tourism business, was giving his free time to lead 30 visitors on a festival walk, when he found the suspension bridge near Kingsland sealed off with planks and hazard tape.

Leominster-based Mr Downey says he was baffled because he provided the council with details of his route six months earlier, as requested, and was not told about the bridge closure.

There were no warning notices on footpaths leading to the river crossing, a walkers' link between Kingsland and Eyton.

He put the problem down to a slip up and looked forward to the repair and reopening of the bridge, which the council deems unsafe.

But three months on, Mr Downey is very concerned. The bridge is still awaiting repair.

A six-month closure order, which expired on September 4, was followed by another order, which will keep the bridge out of use until March.

"I have been told there is no guarantee that the bridge will reopen then because there is no money for the repair work," said Mr Downey.

"This bridge is the only river crossing on a number of circular walks out of Leominster via Cholstrey or from Kingsland to the north side of the Lugg at Eyton Common.

"The council is trying to market Herefordshire as an active county to attract tourists. It needs to tackle problems like this if it is really serious."

Herefordshire Council said the bridge was closed for safety reasons.

Brian Wilcox, cabinet member for highways, said: "Its structure is badly corroded and the decking has serious defects. As a responsible council, we could not sensibly allow members of the public to continue using it."

The council realised the situation was disappointing for walkers but the bridge was fairly remote and not one of the more frequently used bridges, added Councillor Wilcox.

Repair of better-used bridges had to take priority in council spending, he said. It was hoped the bridge would be repaired some time next year.

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