Wyre Forest beauty spot gets new bridge

A £25,000 new bridge has been built across a waterway at a beauty spot in the Wyre Forest to replace the original which was destroyed in severe floods.

Work on the wood and concrete walkway over Dowles Brook has been completed on time following a month-long construction programme.

The bridge has been built by Worcestershire County Council with additional funds provided by Shropshire Council and the Forestry Commission.

Residents and visitors to the town had contacted the authorities complaining about the loss of the bridge and asking when a replacement would be built.

Walkers wanting to cross from one side of the brook to the other had taken to paddling through the water.

The original construction was washed away after severe floods swelled the brook following torrential storms in 2007. The area around it is a site of specific scientific interest.

Vegetation affected by the construction of the bridge will be allowed to re-grow with the council monitoring this closely.

Dowles Brook is a popular beauty spot for visitors to the area and the county council said it was pleased construction of the new bridge had now been completed.

Countryside Projects Officer for Worcestershire County Council Ian Bradley said: "The aim has been to complete this project before the start of the autumn.

"I am pleased to say the bridge has now been replaced."