A Colliers Wood 'bridge to nowhere' is to bear the name of late ward Councillor Gam Gurung to honour his memory.

Bewley Bridge, known as the 'bridge to nowhere' is set to be renovated this year after a funding bid from Transport for London, The Wandle Valley Trust and transport charity Sustrans was successful.

Merton Council is set to name the bridge after Coun Gurung, a former Gurkha soldier, who passed away at the age of 53 last year.

The infamous bridge was half built in 2007 as part of a commitment by developers Bewley Homes, now Wimpey Homes, but was never finished but it will now be completed.

Work is due to begin at the end of this month, which the council said will join Wandle Meadow Nature Park and Bewley Street with a new cycle way to be installed alongside the walkway for pedestrians.

The widow of the late Coun Gurung, Kabita Gurung, said: "This is a great honour.

"My husband loved his work as a councillor representing Colliers Wood residents and this is a lovely tribute to his memory.

"The entire Gurung family are all very proud of the legacy he has left and are grateful to the council for recognition of his service."

Coun Gurung was elected as Councillor for Colliers Wood in 2010 and was the first Gurkha member of the council in its history.

The council is due to start a programme of building and improvement works to the bridge which could be formally opened in June.

Soldiers from the Gurkha engineer unit will be drafted in to help contractors complete the work.

Merton council cabinet member for environmental sustainability and regeneration Councillor Andrew Judge said: "This is a wonderful opportunity to mark the memory of a much missed colleague and friend.

"It’s great to hear this bridge will be ready for summer so that cyclists and walkers alike can benefit from it while they are out and about enjoying this part of the beautiful Wandle Valley Park.

"We will be keeping disruption to the nearby area to a minimum and thank everyone for their patience while we carry out the works."

During the works, there will be two weeks when seven out of 25 parking bays on nearby North Road will be suspended to allow contractors to move about the site with the necessary building materials, the council said.

A spokesperson said it will ensure signs are up on the bays a week before the period for which they will be suspended.


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