For a long time residents have been concerned about the state of the footbridge between Merton Hall Road and Elm Grove.

The good news is that Stephen Hammond MP and I have been having ongoing discussions with Network Rail about the bridge. Combined with pressure from residents, we have now got Network Rail to act. The bridge has now been surveyed and marked out for renovation.

In terms of keeping the bridge clean, it does not make sense for Network Rail to make a special journey just to sweep the bridge as the cost outweighs the benefit.

We are therefore asking the council to strike a deal with Network Rail and offer to clean the bridge for a fee as part of their regular street cleaning activities. Neither party is currently engaged on this proposal and so we will continue to lobby hard for a solution.

Residents and Conservative  councillors have cleaned alleyways and bridges a number of times in the last year. Recently we cleared over a 1,000 cans and bottles.

The community are happy to help but authorities must not see this as an excuse for them to do nothing.

Councillor David Dean

Dundonald Ward Councillor (Conservative)

 

 


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