Closure of footbridge leads to shuttle bus
Local residents in the Beaconhill Green area of Cramlington have signed a petition to get the council to repair the footbridge over the railway line.
COUNCIL bosses have agreed to help residents in part of Cramlington after campaigners said they had been isolated from the town centre.
Town councillors have been battling to get repairs carried out on the Beaconhill footbridge over the east coast railway line, after it was closed due to health and safety concerns.
Coun Ian Ayres has called on Northumberland County Council to introduce a temporary shuttle bus service to help people in the area get access to shops and services in the town centre, rather than face a potentially dangerous walk.
“Solutions need to be found and they need to be found soon,” he said.
“We must continue to raise and highlight residents anger and concerns to Northumberland County Council over the closure of Beaconhill public footbridge and the impact it’s causing the local community accessing local services within Cramlington town centre.
“The footbridge which is in a dangerous condition and in the interest of public safety has to remain closed until it is repaired.
“The footbridge has been closed for four months, provides a vital link between hundreds of residents and the shops, facilities and services.
“I’m urging Northumberland County Council to back my idea for a replacement Bus Shuttle Service to help alleviate demands and urgent issues while the public footbridge is closed.”
A spokesman for Northumberland County Council said: “In response to the concerns and requests of local people we have been looking at providing a shuttle bus to help residents to get from one side of the footbridge to Manor Walks shopping centre, that will particularly benefit people with mobility problems.
“We are talking to local councillors this week and should have more details to announce shortly.
“The shuttle service should be in place by March 4, if not before.”
Email to a friend
Print this page
Looking for...
Featured advertisers
Jobs
Search for a job
Motors
Search for a car
Property
Search for a house
Weather for Blyth
Saturday 18 May 2013
Today
Heavy showers
Temperature: 8 C to 10 C
Wind Speed: 18 mph
Wind direction: North
Tomorrow
Cloudy
Temperature: 8 C to 14 C
Wind Speed: 9 mph
Wind direction: North east
