The structure which connects Matlock Train Station to the Sainsbury’s store has angered residents who believe it ruins the look and feel of the town.

A campaign group has collected about 900 signatures from people who believe the bridge should be changed.

And now Matlock’s Civic Association is backing bids for a planning application to have it removed.

During a Matlock Town Council meeting on Monday Ken Parker, from the association, said he had been in discussion with planning authorities.

He added: “They are open to a new planning application, which could be to remove part or all of the ugly footbridge.”

Mr Parker said further discussions had to take place to decide how a new application could be taken forward.

Isabella Stone, from the Matlock Footbridge Campaign, said she was planning to carry out an assessment on the bridge with the help of Buxton Disabled Access Group.

She believes that the bridge is unsuitable for wheelchair users, despite claims from planning officers that the bridge had to be designed in a way that met disabled access rules.

At the meeting, in the Imperial Rooms, she said: “The fig leaf that Derbyshire County Council is hiding behind is going to be exposed.”

Ms Stone added that there had also been a problem with some people using the bridge to get on to the train station roof but she would not support plans to heighten the railings to make that impossible.

She said: “It is such a terrible object that it is already starting to cause problems.”