Shropshire Star

Clever Victorians knew how to make buildings last

I understand from a report in the Shropshire Star that a local group wants the footbridge from Telford Central railway station to Telford Centre to be named as a permanent memorial to the “Cinderloo” incident at Dawley.

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The new bridge over the A442 in Telford

Do they not realise that the new footbridge will not be a permanent fixture – in around 30 years time the local council will waste more money replacing it in another “redevelopment”.

Also, is the footbridge not at the location of the incident? Both T&WC and WHT seem fond of knocking things down and rebuilding them at a greater cost instead of refurbishing the original.

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This is money which should be spent on more important problems – such as homeless people, support for people struggling to survive, improving health issues, youth clubs, day centres, filling in pot holes in the road, litter picking, etc.

Also, am I not the only person who thinks that the new footbridge is not that good looking?

It looks more like a whale swimming across the EP than a footbridge. There was nothing wrong with the old bridge that a good refurbishment could not have cured and that would have saved several million pounds and a good deal of disruption.

The Victorians built bridges that have lasted around 150 years or more and are every bit as good now as when built.

What is wrong with modern building techniques – they appear not to be fit for purpose!

Richard Camp, Wellington

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