Plans could see a 100-year-old bridge in Long Eaton, which is nearing end of life, replaced with a brand new pedestrian bridge. As part of the £25m Long Eaton Town Deal, Erewash Borough Council has put forward plans to replace the pedestrian bridge over the Erewash canal that links Broad Street and West Park.
The bridge - built in 1913 - is nearing its end of life and has outdated design standards, presenting several user challenges. If approved, the current bridge would be replaced with a new, wider bridge with lower ramp gradients and improved clearance of both the towpath and canal.
The new bridge would provide a direct link to the towpath along the canal, compared to the current bridge which is from West Park to Broad Street. There would be a new footpath on Broad Street to the towpath.
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Walkers including Caroline Kirk, who is 42 and works in security, gave their thoughts on the plans. Ms Kirk, who often walks her dog in the area, said: “It would be easier for us, we dog walk and we have to get off up the industrial estate to get on here. The new one would create a way onto the path from the canal. I think it would be good. I can't see any negatives.”
With a width of 1.72m, the bridge is narrower than current design standards. The ramp gradients are also too steep, and this can cause some people with reduced mobility some issues when trying to cross the bridge.
The height over the towpath is also too low which means that both pedestrians and cyclists have to duck to travel under the bridge without hitting their head. In the past there have been incidents where this has caused people to injure themselves.
Roger Flindall, 71, who lives in Long Eaton, said he knew of someone who was injured years back due to the low height of the bridge. And for that reason he is in favour of the new bridge.
He said: “I think it would be good. It’s getting old. With how solid it is and the corrosion of the iron work you wonder what is holding it up. It's the right thing to do. You’ve got to accept the fact it’s getting too old. It’s expensive but it’s got to be done. If they don’t build it and they have to replace it - they may as well improve it.”
The new bridge is set to be wider (2m to 3.5m), with an improved clearance over the towpath (2.2 to 2.5m) and better ramp gradients.
Justine Cook, 53, who moved to Long Eaton in 2003, said: “It looks pretty nice. For me I wonder what kind of disruptions there would be - people use it to get kids to school, go to work. But yes it looks good.”
The next meeting of Long Eaton Town Deal Board is set to take place on this week on February 24. As well as this Erewash has a public consultation about the bridge that is open until March 19 - the consultation is to gather the thoughts of the plans from locals.
Councillor Michael Powell, lead member for regeneration and planning on Erewash Borough Council, said: "I would encourage people who live in Long Eaton, and those who visit the park, to take part in this consultation. The current bridge presents a number of challenges for users and we are keen to get people’s feedback so that the replacement bridge can meet people’s needs.”
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