Council has 'head in sand' over closed footbridge

The decaying bridge closed in 2015 due to safety concerns

A footbridge that has been closed for a decade has led to accusations a council is "like an ostrich with its head buried in the sand".

A campaign group is calling on Gloucestershire County Council chiefs to reopen the public right of way at Pilley Footbridge in Charlton Kings.

The decaying bridge closed in 2015 due to safety concerns and has not reopened since. John Kadwell, co-ordinator of Pilley Footbridge Action Group, said the council was hoping "the problem would disappear".

Gloucestershire County Council said it is exploring "solutions to restore access".

As the highways authority, Gloucestershire County Council is responsible for maintaining the footpath.

But ownership of the footbridge was transferred to the Cheltenham Corporation, Cheltenham Borough Council's predecessor authority in 1971.

Mr Kadwell said: "We owe it to our ancestors who used and created the many footpaths in Cheltenham to ensure that they still exist.

"It is accepted that the bridge would still be in situ and a future danger if ignored."

County highways cabinet member Joe Harris said he "fully understands" residents' concerns.

"We want to work with Cheltenham Borough Council to repair the bridge or explore alternative solutions to restore access to this important footpath within the Pilley Bridge Nature Reserve," Mr Harris added.

"Our goal is to find a solution that restores public access while safeguarding the natural environment."

A spokesperson of Cheltenham Borough Council added: "Gloucestershire County Council, as the local highways authority, is responsible for the maintenance and access of the Pilley Footbridge.

"Cheltenham Borough Council is aware of the concerns raised by the local community group and these concerns are being discussed with technical officers, this has recently included enabling access to the site to assess the bridge."