Exhibition reveals bridge upgrade plans

AN exhibition detailing plans to upgrade Lucy’s Mill Bridge in Stratford has been well received by members of the public, more than 50 of whom attended the town hall event.

The Friends of Lucy’s Mill Bridge (FOLMB) are campaigning to make the bridge accessible to all and have thrown their weight behind a proposal to have ramps incorporated at either end of the bridge to make it easier for people with prams, wheelchairs and bikes to use the river crossing.

“Ramps are seen as the most cost effective option,” said FOLMB spokesperson David Morgan.

“There are two others including rebuilding the existing bridge or building a completely new one but these would be more expensive.”

Recently collated data by FOLMB reveals that 3,460 people were counted using the bridge during October and November during the 29 hours that counts were taken. It includes 589 dogs, 112 bikes, 35 push chairs and three wheelchairs.

One regular user of the bridge is Trevor Bruce from Stratford who takes his six-year-old daughter to Stratford Tennis Club in a cargo bike. Trevor went to Saturday’s exhibition and was impressed with the plans, video and drawings on show.

“The ramps are a good idea because they retain the original bridge and are a viable option. As a family we use the bridge twice a week and a lot more in the summer to enjoy the Recreation Ground and anything that encourages walking and cycling is a good thing for the town,” Mr Bruce said.

A video showing how the ramps would be incorporated into the bridge structure is available to see on the Herald website, www.stratford-herald.com Plans and feedback from the exhibition will be forwarded to Warwickshire County Council in the new year.