CLAIMS that Herefordshire Council is planning to spend thousands on replacing Orchard Lane footbridge, on the town trail, have not been refuted by the council.

But the money will come from a so-called planning gain windfall, from a developer, under a "Section 106 agreement", and not directly from the public purse.

The issue has come to the fore after local man, Arthur Edge contacted the Reporter with his concerns, especially because no funding for access improvements at Ledbury train station has been found, and because the local infrastructure, including roads and the town trail itself, is in a 'failing' state, according to Mr Edge.

Mr Edge said he understood £250,000 would be spent on a new Orchard Lane footbridge, to improve access for disabled people, and he said this was a example of "confused priorities".

He said: "What a surprise to hear that this sum of money is available for a project based on the apparent flimsy evidence of 'need', while the road and town trail rail infrastructure is failing around us.

"What a nonsense this makes of 'priority of public funds', when the disabled, parents with prams and young children and elderly people cannot get a train to Worcester, unless they travel via Hereford at additional cost and valuable time."

Mr Edge's concerns have been echoed by comments on the Voice of Ledbury Facebook site.

Ang Jackson said: "For the life of me I can’t see why the hell would you waste that amount of money in a footbridge that runs over the top of the road. Would it not be better spent at the train station?"

Chris Ponter said: We don' t this. Yes, the Orchard Lane bridge is narrow but it’s been that way since the early 80s and, in a strange traditional way I think its quite unique in that respect.

"The money would be far better spent on improving disabled access at the train station or on local road and pothole repairs."

But a wider footbridge at Orchard Lane would improve access for disabled people on buggies and parents with prams.

A Herefordshire Council spokesperson said: “The council recently conducted ground investigation work at Orchard Lane footbridge, Ledbury, in order to inform future negotiations with housing developers.

"A new bridge would provide convenient, safe and direct access to the town centre and beyond. As part of a Section 106 agreement, developers may be expected to contribute towards the replacement and widening of the footbridge to mitigate the impact of their development when constructing new homes."

The rumoured cost of £250,000 for the new bridge has not been confirmed.

The spokesman said: "Any cost figures at this stage are preliminary estimates and are subject to change. A report on the ground investigation work is currently being prepared and will be presented to the council for consideration in due course.”