Witham's long-awaited rail bridge project has finally hit the buffers.

The idea of linking the Easton Road car park with the platforms by a pedestrian footbridge was first mooted 26 years ago.

It was given the go-ahead in principle at a cost of more than £535,000, only to be put on hold when Railtrack went under.

Now the Strategic Rail Authority, which has the task of restoring UK rail services to efficiency, has told Witham commuters the bridge project "will not be progressed".

The decision has plunged campaigner David Bigg, chairman of the Witham and Braintree Rail Users Association, and his members, into despondency

"It's time to bring out the black armbands," he said glumly. "It is with a heavy heart I have to admit that this project, after all the uncertainties, is now well and truly dead, and we must let the idea drop. There is no point in flogging a dead horse."

He said he would raise the matter with Braintree MP Alan Hurst, but felt as though he was only going through the motions

Published Friday, August 1, 2003

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