COUNCIL chiefs at Warrington have decided to remove a pedestrian footbridge over a busy main road after carrying out a consultation exercise among users.
The Woolston Grange Avenue/Blackburne Close bridge – known locally as The “Pink Bridge” – would cost up to £100,000 to maintain over the next 5-10 years.
It would also cost £250,000 to make it conform to the Disability Discrimination Act.
Cost of removing the bridge is put at between £14,000 and £17,000.
The council sent out 323 questionnaires to people living within 350m of the bridge.
Seventy two were returned – representing 22.3 per cent of the local community.
Almost 80 per cent of respondents supported removal of the bridge.
An existing footpath linking to a new nearby Pelican crossing on Woolston Grange Avenue will be upgraded.
The council has acknowledged support from Longbarn Residents Association over the issue.
Work will be carried out during the summer or autumn.
Local councillor Geoff Settle said: “The Pink Bridge has served its purpose and with the installation of the new Pelican crossing less than 100 meters away duplicates the route across this busy road. It only has a life expectancy of 16 more years and the maintenance costs during this time would be up to £100,000. The footbridge is non-compliant with the Disability Discrimination Act, unsuitable for cyclists, wheel chairs users, push chairs or buggies”.
Picture: The Pink Bridge and the Pelican crossing
