Work starts on £2m project which will bridge the divide (From Worcester News)

Work starts on £2m project which will bridge the divide

9:00am Thursday 26th November 2009

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COUNCILLORS, cyclists and a sustainable transport charity all gathered to witness work start on Worcester’s newest river crossing.

Councillor Derek Prodger, Worcestershire County Council’s cabinet member for transport and safe enviroment, planted his spade into the ground yesterday morning on the spot where diggers will shortly start building the bridge.

The foot and cycle bridge will link Diglis and Lower Wick and will take about eight months to complete, just in time for the summer.

“We are delighted that work will now commence on the new Diglis walk and cycle bridge,” said Coun Prodger.

“The new bridge and additional links will increase freedom of movement around Worcester and will improve our quality of lives through cost savings, improved health and reduced congestion.”

The bridge will cost about £2 million to build and is part-funded with lottery money as part of the nationwide Connect2 sustainable transport scheme.

The scheme, which is run by the charity Sustrans, has made sure more cycle and pedestrian links have been established in the city, so that the bridge is well connected and well used.

Henry Harbord, regional manager of Sustrans, was delighted that the building work had finally started.

He said: “It is a tremendously exciting project because it will bring a new connection to the two halves of the city that does not involve the noisy road bridge, which is a little way up-stream from here.

“It will give people a wonderful opportunity to get around the city on a bike or on foot, which they don’t currently have.”

Derek Skinner, chairman of the Worcester Cycling Forum, said: “I think it is a very historical event for Worcester.

“It is part of the whole network and is a very important link to the rest of the city.”

The new crossing will be at least 16 metres (52ft) above normal water levels, with low-level lighting illuminating it at night. It will also have wheelchair access.

safety experts ‘nervous’ about cycling: page 8

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