£3m Cannock Chase footbridge wins support of planners

A controversial £3 million steel footbridge is set to be built in the heart of Cannock Chase, after planning chiefs recommended the plans for approval.

The bridge is be built near Marquis Drive, across a dangerous level crossing on the Chase designed to take up to 1,000 cyclists a day as well as horses and walkers.

A safer crossing is needed after a 15-mile, award-winning mountain bike trail through the forest, was launched two years ago which has boosted cyclists to more than 3,000 at weekends. But there have been complaints, with anger at the Forestry Commission for designing the cycle trail next to homes and the railway track. Network Rail says there has been more near-misses.

The existing level crossing is a designated public footpath across the rail line but was not designed for the number now using it.

The railway line runs parallel to the A460 Hednesford to Rugeley Road. The new bridge will be 262ft south of the existing level crossing. Planning chiefs at Cannock Chase Council will be analysing the plans, which have been approved by the authority's officers, on Wednesday.

A council report says: "The very special circumstances in the form of overriding health and safety reasons, justify the proposal in the green belt."