NEWS FROM YOUR DISTRICT COUNCILLORS
PAUL HEWER AND DAVID
HOLTBY
There is an acknowledged need for a safe, pedestrian crossing over the Canal
at Hungerford and has been for some 70 years. Doing nothing is no longer
an option and employing traffic lights is judged too disruptive. Consequently,
the problem was aired at the Town Meeting held on 19 March 2009, when it
was resolved to push the matter forward.
There was general agreement at the first Public Meeting held on 21 May 2009,
at which many ideas were considered, that the most likely solution would
be centred around a footbridge:
• Affording easy transit for all - including wheelchairs and pushchairs.
• That would be permanently open.
• Situated to the West of the existing bridge.
• At high-level.
• Adjacent, but separate from the existing bridge.
• That would be unobtrusive. Built in sympathy, with the existing bridge,
townscape and countryside.
Feedback from this Meeting enabled the concept to be further developed and,
at a second Public Meeting held on 3 September 2009, outline design options
were considered, with the public overwhelmingly favouring a footbridge:
• Closely following the horizontal and vertical paths of the existing bridge.
• Simple in design.
• Blending, with the existing bridge and not detracting from it, constructed
of metal.
The latter two points represented a hardening of views from the first Meeting,
at which the notion of reflecting the transition between town and country
had met with some approval. Consequent to this second Meeting, use of decorated,
glass side panels was rejected.
For those unable to attend the second Meeting, a small display, including
a summary of views from that Meeting, was mounted in the Library, with the
opportunity for further comment.
Concepts endorsed at the two Meetings, together, with ongoing comments, are
now being blended to produce detailed design options for presentation to
the town. These will incorporate, in addition to architectural input:
• Construction engineering to ensure the bridge is sound.
Highway engineering to ensure a smooth transition between the existing footway
and the bridge.
The final stages will be to:
• Determine the preferred design.
Submit a Planning Application for which English Heritage will be statutory
consultees.
This is an important public project that will impinge on both the history
and future of our town. It is complicated and the dynamic of idea and counter-idea
is healthy and necessary if we are to provide a safe crossing, without destroying
a much-loved vista. Importantly, the bridge needs to please as many people
as possible and we are striving to achieve this by ensuring everyone has
a fair say in the development process.
That said, because we are dealing with a live road safety issue, we can’t
afford to dawdle and must make best speed. The cost of the project can only
be estimated until the final design is agreed, but something in the region
of £700,000.00 would be realistic. Such funding would be available,
but nothing can be guaranteed in these difficult economic times and an early
start would be in the town’s best interest.
Serving the community by working closely with the Town Council to represent
Hungerford in West Berkshire
phewer@westberks.gov.uk 07979 257329 djholtby@wbca.org.uk 07753635296