Funding for bridge design despite traffic concerns

Government funding has been secured to finish the design of a road bridge amid fears it will make traffic congestion worse.

Tewkesbury Borough Council says the bridge north of Ashchurch station near Sinderberry Drive, will unlock development opportunities and enable the closure of the dangerous level crossing.

The £89,500 grant will allow the council's Garden Communities team to complete the work near the M5, to finalise the technical elements of the bridge.

Independent councillor Mike Sztymiak said it will lead to congestion in the two developments the bridge will serve.

On Tuesday, councillors voted to accept the grant for the design work.

However, concerns were raised that the bridge would cause traffic congestion as it would link thousands of homes, the Local Democracy Reporting Service was told.

"It will become a bridge to somewhere. Two housing developments on either side of the railway," Mr Sztymiak said.

"Where is the traffic going to go? Through Northway or Bredon Road.

"Either way, this A46 improvement, if and when it does happen, with a new junction on the motorway, we are talking about 2034 at the earliest.

"How is this going to happen?"

Liberal Democrat council leader Richard Stanley said the bridge was initially brought forward in isolation without a wider scheme which meant its impact could not be properly assessed.

"The council has set out to learn lessons that if developments are being brought forward that there is a wider scheme," he said.

"There was feedback at the time how the previous bridge sat within the landscape and whether it really suited the environment.

"The additional funding is to work on proposals with regards to the actual design of the bridge."

Conservative councillor David Gray said he was happy with the grant funding and "loved a handsome bridge".

The designs are due to be ready in spring.

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