PLANS to demolish a footbridge at Balkerne Hill and replace it with another 1.2m metres wider have been approved, despite safety fears.

Essex County Council has been given approval to build the new three metre bridge which will be shared by pedestrians and cyclists after Colchester Council's planning committee voted to give the plans the go ahead.

High steward and former Colchester MP Sir Bob Russell spoke out against the proposal.

He said: "I'm all in favour of extending any cycling provision but not if it is to the detriment of pedestrians.

"This will bring in a conflict where one does not exist.

"Building a bridge where cyclists can go at even greater speeds is a recipe for disaster."

Despite planning committee members raising fears the new bridge could be unsafe, an extensive audit by Essex County Council showed there was no risk to pedestrians or cyclists.

Pauline Hazell (Con) said she was worried people could even fall over the bridge if they were cycling across.

She said: "I can see no reason why cyclists cannot get off their bikes and walk across.

"Male cyclists can be quite tall when they are on bikes and it might sound extreme, but I fear they could topple over.

"I have serious reservations."

Lyn Barton (Lib Dem) said she did not believe the project was worthwhile.

She said: "I really cannot support spending money on something we don't really need.

"I stopped at the bridge for 20 minutes and people use common sense and if there are pedestrians then cyclists will dismount and walk their bikes across."

Planning committee chairman Theresa Higgins said: "Cyclists want to go around without getting off their bikes, which is the whole point of having a wider bridge.

"I can see no reason put forward as to why this should not be accepted."

Work on the bridge is expected to take eight weeks.