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Published:
April 25, 2007
New
twist in row over controversial Highbridge railway bridge closure
A
fresh row has broken out over the closure of Walrow railway bridge
in the centre of Highbridge.
Burnham's
MP David Heathcoat-Amory, who visited
the bridge last Saturday, has this week received a reply from
Network Rail placing the blame for the closure squarely with Somerset
County Council.
Burnham-On-Sea.com
exclusively broke
the news in March that the busy bridge would close for up
to four years.
 The
MP told Burnham-On-Sea.com: "I contacted Network rail urgently
and they have written to me stating as follows: 'Unfortunately
Somerset County Council has taken the extreme action of closing
the bridge altogether when there are options, such as a height
restriction bar, that would prevent lorries from breaking the
weight restriction'."
"Network
Rail also says that it is not possible for them to bring the necessary
strengthening work forward. The bridge therefore could be closed
for another three years."
At
Saturday's meeting in Highbridge, Mr Heathcoat-Amory signed a
petition to get the bridge reopened and later met with some of
the business people who are being severely disadvantaged by the
closure of the bridge.
One
trader who runs Maisey's Bakery told Mr Heathcoat-Amory that both
she and her husband work in the shop and it provides their livelihood.
However, since the closure of the bridge, sales have plumeted
on average by £1,000 per week.
Mr
Heathcoat-Amory added: "This is an arterial road into Highbridge
and the closure is doing severe damage to the commercial health
of the town."
"There
will be no town to represent if this carries on. I cannot accept
this and I will do everything possible to get this bridge reopened
at an earlier date than the one proposed."
"It
is clear that Somerset County Council have shut the bridge prematurely
without examining the options. I will be taking the matter up
with them as a matter of urgency."
RELATED
LINKS:
MP
visits concerned traders in Highbridge
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