Published: Wednesday 18th October 2023 | 3.45pm
Two footbridges in popular amenity sites in Cannock Chase district are to be replaced following a decision made by the Council’s Cabinet last Thursday (12 October).
They are at Anglesey Nature Reserve near Hednesford and at Rawnsley Woods in Rawnsley.
There are two bridge locations at the nature reserve. The one that will be replaced is the pedestrian bridge near Hereford Road which had been previously removed because it was beyond repair. Reinstating it will improve access to the reserve and allow residents to fully enjoy this area of open space.
Likewise, there had been two pedestrian bridges in Rawnsley Woods, both demolished. The main one linking footpaths from St Thomas Drive and Littleworth Drive to Cannock Wood Street will now be reinstated, following Cabinet’s decision.
The work will be paid for from the Council’s existing capital budget. £110,000 has been set aside and the Council is hopeful the quotes will fall well below that sum.
Previously, the bridges and Rugeley Boardwalk had been considered as one project. Rugeley Boardwalk was demolished in 2019 after being deemed unsafe. It spans a distance of 45 metres and was constructed of timber. Cabinet has now agreed to separate these projects and Rugeley Boardwalk will be considered on its own, at a later date, as part of the Council’s wider capital budget setting process. Earlier estimates suggest replacing the boardwalk could cost around £200,000.
Councillor Andrea Muckley, Portfolio Leader for Environment and Climate Change said: “There has been much discussion about repairing footbridges in the district; a discussion which includes the Rugeley Boardwalk. I have been actively campaigning for over three years, as a Ward Councillor, for a replacement bridge in Rawnsley specifically and the other bridge and boardwalk generally. The people of Rawnsley and Hednesford have shown considerable patience since their bridges were removed over three years ago and it is now time for that patience to pay off.
“I am therefore absolutely delighted that we are now in a position to go ahead and allocate funding for two bridges which have been sorely missed by residents who enjoy visiting the nature reserve and the woods, and who have had to navigate difficult routes to reach these well-loved places in their absence.
“Finances are challenging at the moment, and so while we would like to repair more than these two bridges, we cannot make that commitment right now. We confirm that we are nevertheless committed to taking a fresh look at Rugeley Boardwalk as part of future capital spending considerations. This project is more complex and more involved than these two bridges and therefore requires careful consideration, but we want to assure the people of Rugeley that it absolutely remains on our radar.”
Replacing the two bridges was one of the new Cabinet’s initial priorities when it was formed after last May’s elections, as a Labour, Liberal Democrats and Green parties coalition.
Councillor Sue Thornley, Portfolio Leader for Housing, said: “We are pleased that this is the first project promised by this administration to come to fruition. This has been an excellent example of cross party working that we as the biggest partner in the coalition are determined to facilitate.”
Photograph:
Councillor Andrea Muckley, Portfolio Leader for Environment and Climate Change, at Cannock Chase Council.