Bridge 'too dear' (From Gazette Series)

Bridge 'too dear'

A RENEWED attempt to drum up support for a road bridge between Sharpness and Lydney has not captured the imagination of town and parish councils in the area.

Lydney Town Council has written to a number of councils in the Stroud district, including those in Wotton-under-Edge, Berkeley and Kingswood, in an attempt to gain support.

However, realising the unrealistic costs involved, councillors seem loathe to give it their backing.

Kingswood Parish Council decided not to give its support to the proposal at its last.

Then Gloucestershire county councillor for Wotton and Kingswood Dr John Cordwell (Lib Dem), who is also cabinet member for strategic planning and transport, confirmed the costs "would be enormous".

Wotton Town Council has also declined to support the idea.

At Monday's meeting Cllr Dr Cordwell said: "This is something the county council members for Lydney and Berkeley bring up time and time again.

"I travel all over the county and I think it might save quarter of an hour if there was a bridge.

"It would have to be built by the Highways Agency and it would have to have a toll on it.

"I don't think it would be used by people apart from those who live close to it. "The county council does have in mind a crossing for the River Severn and it will probably be in a report for 2007 to 2011, but it will probably be nearer Gloucester."

Other Wotton town councillors questioned whether it was viable or right to spend the amount of money that would be required.

Cllr Paul Smith said: "In terms of cost we are talking £100 million plus." Added Cllr Janet Walshe: "There are an awful lot of things that the money could be spent on."

A slightly more positive response arose from Berkeley Town Council on Monday, as the town would be very near the eastern end of any new bridge.

Although obviously sceptical about the costs, councillors will write back to Lydney Town Council asking for confirmation about details for a proposed working group so that it can put forward a member.