Dear Sir,
The bridge over the burn connecting Whinlatter Place to Linden Place is still out of action despite a 400 person petition from local people demanding its return.
A notice in the Newton News which appeared in small print disclosed that a temporary footpath closure is to be extended for another 18 months or until completion of the works.
Residents in the area are unhappy about the length of time it is taking to repair the bridge and it is an inconvenience to local people.
From a safety point of view residents have been seen to climb over the safety gates to access the other side of the burn with disregard for their own safety.
The cost of renovating the bridge has been quoted by West Ward Councillors as £25000 pounds and apparently they are not keen to allocate that amount of money for a walkway to benefit the public and are planning to knock on doors to ask residents if they will agree to lose this amenity to save money which will then presumably be spent on the Lumiere Festival for Durham City folk.
Personally I believe we should be looking after our own facilities in the West Ward and as I write this local residents are again collecting signatures to save the bridge.
Cllr Ken Robson
