A FOUR-YEAR long battle to install a footbridge over a railway line in Cofton has been successful.

Barnt Green Parish Council recently celebrated the opening of the new footbridge which crosses the main rail line from Birmingham to Bristol.

The occasion was marked by the council's annual Community Walk with each of the three varied distance walks featuring a route over the new footbridge.

A council spokesperson said: "Some years ago, work was undertaken on the line to increase the service from 14 to 20 trains per hour (plus some freight trains).

"A risk assessment was carried out concluding that there was an increased possibility of an accident resulting in Network Rail taking the decision to close the crossing.

"Network Rail met with Barnt Green Parish Council, the Footpath Officer and The Ramblers Association and it was at this meeting that Network Rail reported that the path was insufficiently utilised to warrant installation of a bridge.

"Following much discussion, Network Rail agreed to install a data capture camera to record footfall.

"This supported the claim by Barnt Green Parish Council that the crossing was well used, highlighting a greater risk and resulting in an immediate closure in July 2015.

"Following lobbying from Barnt Green Parish Council, the Footpath Officer and local residents including obtaining Freedom of Information data, Network Rail agreed to install a bridge."