Forest footbridge saved with plan for repair and reopening

A "much loved" footbridge in the New Forest that was at the centre of protests is set to be repaired and reopened.

The concrete bridge across a small stream near Martins Road, Brockenhurst, was used by walkers and livestock to access open land outside the village but Forestry England (FE) said its condition was "deteriorating" and it no longer met "modern safety standards".

In September, FE paused work to remove it following protests from village residents, including one who chained himself to the bridge when contractors arrived.

Brockenhurst Parish Council said it had agreed with FE a licence for the reopening of the footbridge as a "local community project", to be funded by public donations.

About a dozen people gathered at the site when contractors arrived with a bulldozer to remove it on 17 September.

However, work was halted when resident Mike James attached himself to the structure with a steel cord and padlock.

He later removed himself when the contractors left for the day.

Residents said the alternative crossing recommended by FE was along a road with no pavement or street lighting and was unsuitable and unsafe.

An FE statement issued at the time said: "We appreciate that this footbridge is a much-loved feature of the local landscape.

"However, its design and structure no longer meet modern safety standards, and recent assessments by civil engineers show that it's deteriorating further."

Discussions between the parish council and FE subsequently took place.

In a statement, Brockenhurst Parish Council said: "Forestry England and Brockenhurst Parish Council have agreed a licence for the reopening of the Martins Road Footbridge as a local community project, funded by public donations.

"The parties thank all those who have contributed to achieving this outcome and those who continue to support the project through funding and assistance."

Under the agreement, the bridge would be leased to the parish council to repair and maintain.

Ken Crompton of the Brockenhurst Community Action residents group, who has been involved in the discussions, said: "The parish council, Forestry England and the community have worked very well together.

"We feel very positive - at a place where there are still steps to go but we can manage. We've managed to pull off a really good solution."

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