Council plans to improve 'neglected' bridge

Residents in Bridgnorth are concerned about the appearance of the Low Town bridge

Shropshire Council says it plans to refurbish Bridgnorth's Low Town bridge amid anger from residents over its peeling paint and lack of flowers.

One resident described the bridge as "sad and neglected".

The authority said it was designing improvements to the bridge, which would include replacing the railings, and hoped work could be completed next year.

It added that in the meantime, Bridgnorth Town Council could re-paint the railings, but said consultations would need to take place, due to the bridge being Grade II listed.

Shropshire Council says it plans to make improvements to the bridge, including replacing the existing railings

Bridgnorth Town Council echoed its fellow authority's message and urged residents not to paint the bridge themselves as some had pledged to do on social media.

"It requires a particular process to be used where repairs or renovations are concerned. Shropshire Council are also concerned about the paint previously used and are currently carrying out tests," it said in a statement to the BBC.

It added that other works had taken place in recent months, and Shropshire Council was wary of doing additional work without a "decent gap".

"We have asked Shropshire Council to investigate this as a matter of urgency," it said.

Speaking to BBC Radio Shropshire, residents shared ideas about what they thought needed to be done.

"I don't think it would take a great deal of effort to make it look better," said Linda Widdows.

"Soon they're going to be putting the hanging baskets up for summer but there's nothing here now, there’s been nothing since Christmas. The railings need painting again, it's all looking scruffy," she added.

Andy Turford said: "It needs painting - there's no boxes been done, no hanging baskets been done, no weeding. It needs tidying up everywhere."

Helen Beever is positive that the bridge will see improvements

Helen Beever, who is part of Bridgnorth's community garden project, said: "I think at the moment it does look as if it needs some attention, and it is on the plan, I’m sure, with the town council to get it done.

"It looks unloved, yes. I can understand people being upset that it’s not what it should be. But I’m sure it will come."

On what she would do with the empty planters, Ms Beever said: "Flowers, loads of flowers. I like the idea of perennial planting.

"I can't really come up with a planting scheme that would be all year round. I think you’re going to have to change things at certain times of the year."