Issue - meetings

The Environmental Services Manager presented a report on the subject of the Sherwood Road footbridge in Aston Fields.

Cabinet was informed that the footbridge was located between Sherwood Road and some offices on an industrial estate.  The bridge was owned by Bromsgrove District Council and provided structural support to a sewer that ran under the bridge.  Severn Trent Water had been contacted about the bridge and had indicated that they would be willing to maintain the bridge but not to maintain a footpath over the bridge.  Officers were proposing remedial works to close the footpath and remove the exiting bridge deck before transferring ownership to Severn Trent Water.

Members were advised that the Portfolio Holder for Environmental Services and Community Safety had visited the footbridge with officers to view the bridge and footpath.  The footbridge had been in a poor state of disrepair and the footpath had been overgrown, with no signs of usage in recent years.  Based on the condition of the footbridge, the Portfolio Holder for Environmental Services and Community Safety had reported that she would be supportive of the closure of the footbridge.

Consideration was given to the proposals and Members questioned whether, after the closure of the footpath and removal of the decking, there would be any further financial implications relating to the footbridge for the Council.  Officers confirmed that there would be no further financial implications to the Council beyond that which had been detailed within the report.

During consideration of this item, questions were raised about whether the footpath was a designated public right of way.  Members commented that there were lengthy and complicated processes that needed to be followed when closing public rights of way, including a requirement for a diversion order.  Officers explained that it was understood that the footpath could be closed.  It was acknowledged that public consultation had not yet been undertaken with respect to the closure of the footbridge but the overgrown state of the footpath indicated that there was limited awareness or use made of the footpath.

RESOLVED that

Subject to receiving confirmation that the footpath on Sherwood Road Footbridge in Aston Fields is not a designated public right of way

1)          The existing pedestrian footbridge in Sherwood Road be permanently closed, due to its current structural condition;

2)          After removal of the bridge deck, the remaining structure be declared surplus to Council requirements, and disposed of to Severn Trent Water Ltd at nil cost; and

RECOMMENDED that

3)          A budget of £10k be added to the 2022/2023 Capital Programme to be funded from internal resources.