£2m Pelsall bridge work left in balance
A £2 million proposal to replace Pelsall's landmark York's Bridge has been left in the balance after a planning appeal against it by campaigners was upheld.
Proposals to build a new two carriageway structure alongside the narrow canal bridge built in the 1800s were given the green light last year.
Planning chiefs hoped to save the existing historic bridge, in Norton Road, plus use additional land from the common for the new bridge and widen the road which is a commuter route from Staffordshire to Walsall.
Today, the council said it was disappointed with the decision by the Planning Inspectorate and is now taking legal advice.
The project was given the nod by the council's planning committee in 2014 despite objections by residents who want the bridge, over the Wyrley & Essington Canal, to be renovated.
Pelsall Heritage Group and householders from the nearby Moat Farm Estate objected on the grounds that the council had failed to consider an alternative option to carry out specialist strengthening work to the humpback bridge to allow it to keep carrying traffic. They also objected to a ground swap plan involving parts of Pelsall North Common and a nearby pond. A petition also attracted 260 signatures.
John Garfitt, of the campaign group, said: "We are very relieved this has been stopped in its tracks. They have not listened to what we asked them to do which was to invite three companies that offer strengthening work to come and look at the existing bridge and to widen it."
Walsall Council's former cabinet member for transport Lee Jeavons said: "We're looking at the issues raised by the Planning Inspectorate, specifically the fact they couldn't rely on the council's intention to re-register common land when the works are completed in the absence of a formal legal agreement.
"We're surprised. The purpose of this review was to look at the impact of de-registering some of the common land. The scheme had already been given planning permission following extensive consultation .
"Its brick arch construction, poor alignment and lack of footways make it unsuitable for modern traffic and given how busy that road is it's equally unsafe for pedestrians and cyclists. We're disappointed with the decision but remain committed to the scheme and are taking legal advice to consider our next step."
