CALLS are being made to name a new foot and cycle bridge in Diglis, Worcester, after a family which dates back five generations to the area.

Joan Carless said it would mean everything to her if the new bridge that will link Diglis to Lower Wick was named Bradley Bridge.

The call comes after three Worcester families took part in a special street naming ceremony at the beginning of last month conducted as part of Bryant Homes’ flagship Diglis Water development.

Mrs Carless, née Bradley, a former Cherry Orchard Primary School pupil who spent the first 23 years of her life in Diglis, said: “It would mean everything to have the bridge named after my family. Five generations takes some beating I should think.”

The 79-year-old, who now lives in Park Avenue, Barbourne, said her family has a rich history associated with Diglis.

Captain Edward Bradley was appointed as the first lock-keeper and toll collector at Diglis Lock by the Severn Navigation Commission in 1844. His eldest son William took over in 1860 until his death 12 years later.

His brother John took up the position before he was appointed the first superintendent of the Severn Comm-ission in 1879.

When he died in 1912 his eldest son Edward took over before his son, and Mrs Carless’ dad, John, became the last superintendent between 1925 and 1948. He died in 1953.

Mrs Carless’ brother Edward, now aged 66 and retired, was also an inspector of British Waterways.

We previously reported in your Worcester News how the Sustrans Connect2 sustainable transport project won a public vote in the People’s £50 Million Lottery contest on ITV – the biggest ever UK Lottery grant awarded by public vote – which will see a bridge built over the river Severn connecting Diglis to Lower Wick.

The bridge, which will form an integral part of riverside enhancements costing £1 million, is set to be in place by 2010 but it is not yet known what it will look like.

Chris Dobbs, city council landscape architect, said: “Mrs Carless can certainly write to her local councillor and suggest the name.

“The project is so far ahead – the bridge will be built in 2010, that the topic of names hasn’t even come up yet.”

He said the city council and partners, Worcestershire County Council and Sustrans would all be involved in any discussions about naming the bridge but did not rule out consulting the public in the future on the subject.