COLCHESTER’S High Steward and former MP has been “shocked” by plans to destroy a town centre footbridge.

Essex County Council has lodged plans to demolish the footbridge at Balkerne Hill, which has been there for nearly 40 years and replace it with one 1.2metres wider so cyclists can use it as well.

Sir Bob blasted council bosses for stating in a public notice the work would start on April 1 yet objections to the plans have a deadline for three days later.

Sir Bob said: “Why not keep the existing footbridge for pedestrians and erect the new bridge next to it for cyclists?

"Why go to the expense of removing a bridge and replacing it with a slightly wider bridge which will result in pedestrians and cyclists having to share the space?

"All this for just 1.2 extra width but with the safety issues associated with pedestrians and cyclists mixing on what will still be a relatively narrow bridge for two different uses.

"How much is the cost of removing the bridge – and what use will the County Council put it to?”Gazette:

The pedestrian bridge is immediately adjacent to a Scheduled Ancient Monument, Balkerne Gate, the most important surviving Roman gateway in Britain.

Sir Bob questioned what prior public consultation was undertaken before the planning application was made to Colchester Council.

He added: “I only found out by chance when I saw the two notices and decided to find out what they were about. What I read shocked me.”

Balkerne Hill dual-carriageway was officially opened by the Lord Lieutenant of Essex, Colonel Sir John Ruggles-Brise, on April 18 1977.

When it was installed, Sir Bob said it was the longest single span pedestrian bridge in Britain.

Essex County Council was asked to comment but was unable to.