Cheshire East closed unsafe bridge 15 months ago cutting off villagers

Booths Bridge on Cheadle Lane at Plumley has been out of action for 15 months, even to pedestrians, and this has effectively ‘cut off’ some residents  who now have to make a several mile diversion by car to get into the village.

Work to demolish and replace the crumbling bridge was supposed to start at the beginning of last month but residents say they have now been told surveys need to be done by other agencies which means further delay. They are demanding to know why these weren’t done sooner.

Andrew Nangle said: “The bridge being out of action, even to pedestrians as it is deemed to be at risk of imminent collapse, means we have a several mile diversion in the car. It is impractical by foot, so we are trapped. The delay is a serious health and safety issue because pedestrians are moving the barriers and walking across the bridge. If it gives way then somebody could be injured or killed.”

Booths Bridge, Cheadle Lane, Plumley (Image: Cheshire East Council)Cheshire East warned there were ‘serious safety concerns’ with the bridge and ‘under no circumstances’ should anyone walk or drive over it.

A council spokesperson told the Local Democracy Reporting Service: “The closure of the road is due to the serious safety concerns with the old bridge. As part of the process to replace the bridge, agreements with statutory undertakers, such as BT and the Environment Agency, are essential. This is taking place in conjunction with the design of the new bridge.

“Work to demolish the existing bridge is expected to begin before the end of this year and the construction of the new bridge is planned to start early in the new year.

“Members of the public are reminded that under no circumstances should they move the barriers in order to walk or drive across the bridge. There are advanced ‘road closed’ signs in place along with marked diversion routes.”