Century-old Shrewsbury bridge may be replaced

Work is under way to replace the 1914 footbridge from Kemps Eye Avenue over the railway tracks and into Kemps Fields at Belle Vue.

The footpath was closed on February 15 to allow work to start on the bridge, and a closure is in place until July 1. Network Rail today confirmed there were no plans to close the footbridge but no-one was available to comment on what work was ongoing.

The bridge has a builders' cast-iron plate on it which says it was built in 1914 by E. Finch & Co Ltd, Engineers and Ironfounders of Chepstow.

Phil Gillam, a columnist for the Shropshire Star's sister paper the Shrewsbury Chronicle, said: "It is more of a sentimental thing than a true historical value but I have always felt that if it were a building, people would be up in arms about it if a 100-year-old building going to be knocked down.

"But because it is a footbridge people don't seem to mind at all."

Mr Gillam said he was saddened to hear it could be replaced with a modern structure.

He believes the work, which is currently under way, is to replace the bridge with a modern version because it may be more cost effective than ongoing repairs.

He said it is regularly used by hundreds of people and many would have made memories at the bridge.

"Not just train spotters but all sorts of people," he said. "Dog walkers use the bridge on a daily basis.

"I believe it will be dismantled and replaced by a new one.

"It is true that it is used by hundreds of people on a daily basis just walking to the fields and back.

"I just believe that something that is 100 years old deserves a bit more respect.

"Perhaps there might have been a way to save it, perhaps it is cheaper instead to replace it."

It comes days after it was revealed work would be carried out to repair netting under the railway bridge at Castle Foregate due to pigeons becoming trapped and starving to death.

Officials at Shropshire Wildlife Trust have urged members of the public not to encourage pigeons by feeding them in the area.