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New step in bridge protest
Campaigners are planning to submit a formal complaint about a controversial footbridge which they say is not being used by the people it was built for.
The metal structure at Matlock Train Station was erected last summer to coincide with the opening of the new Sainsbury's supermarket.
Planning chiefs have said that the bridge had to be built to meet regulations for wheelchair access but residents have called it "appallingly ugly".
Now 110 members of the Matlock Footbridge Campaign, who previously submitted a petition against the bridge, will make a complaint to Derbyshire Dales District Council about the way the plans were approved following consultation.
Isabella Stone, campaign organiser, said that the district council told the group that a consultation on the plans for a footbridge had taken place.
She added: "In fact, our investigations show that the word 'footbridge' never appeared on any of the planning notices or letters to residents."
She added that not all residents and businesses directly affected received notification, the notices said that the development was in Cawdor Quarry rather than the train station and no conservation bodies were consulted.
Matlock Footbridge Campaign have also monitored the bridge and found that over two days 2,323 journeys were made with only two of them being made by wheelchair users.
A spokesman for the district council said: "All complaints are taken seriously by the district council and are dealt with under the district council's complaints procedure."
The footbridge campaign will hold a meeting at the Imperial Rooms, Matlock, tomorrow at 6pm.
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Weather for Chesterfield
Tuesday 07 February 2012
Today
Sunny spells
Temperature: -7 C to 2 C
Wind Speed: 10 mph
Wind direction: East
Tomorrow
Sunny
Temperature: -3 C to 0 C
Wind Speed: 10 mph
Wind direction: South east
