RESIDENTS have welcomed the news that the bridge in Springfield Park will be replaced after the old one was targeted by vandals. 

Work is set to begin later this month on installing a new bridge at the Kidderminster park, after the previous one was removed in August 2023.

Worcestershire County Council, which owns the bridge, has said that vandals breached the barrier and the bridge was "damaged beyond repair".

Earlier this year, residents questioned why it was taking so long to replace the footbridge, with one describing it as a "vital link between two sections of the park."

In April, Wyre Forest District Council said that the brook which the bridge goes over is listed as a salmon breeding area. They said this has "restricted" them because of the salmon breeding season, which ran up to March. The council also said they were waiting on additional updates from Worcestershire County Council.

Now, the county council has confirmed that work will begin next week on installing the bridge.

Some shared their delight that the bridge will finally be replaced on the Friends of Springfield Park Facebook group.

John Beckingham described it as "excellent news". George Con said it's "brilliant" that the bridge is being replaced.

Steve Campbell said: "Good, but why has it taken so long?"

Sophie Pegler said it was "about time" the bridge was replaced.

Di Smith said she raised the issue at a county council meeting last month. She said: "It will be good to see the bridge repaired and open again but the dither and delay in accepting that this needed to be done, means residents, including many with mobility issues and young families with prams, will be inconvenienced once again over the autumn and winter".

Works are being carried out by the county council with the support of partners at the district council.

Councillor Ben Brookes, Wyre Forest District Council’s Cabinet Member for Operational Services said that the replacement of the bridge has not been straightforward.

He said: “We know the installation of a new bridge is something local residents have been keen to see and hopefully with the news of a start date later this month they can be reassured a replacement is happening. Replacing the bridge has not been a straightforward or simple process and we would like to thank the public for their patience and our partners at the Council, for working with us to provide a sustainable replacement.”

Work to replace the bridge is set to be completed during the Winter of 2024/ 2025.

A new polymer bridge is currently being manufactured, and will have reinforced concrete foundations, this style of bridge has been chosen to ensure durability and stability.

Councillor Marc Bayliss, Worcestershire County Council’s cabinet member for highways and transport, added: “We know this bridge was a well-used and much-loved part of the local community, and we want to ensure the new bridge will allow it to remain so for many years to come.

"We have worked closely with Wyre Forest District Council and the Environment Agency to ensure the new bridge will be more stable and longer-lasting for everyone to enjoy.”