Council reveals why Chesterfield footbridge is shut – and when it’s due to reopen

Council chiefs have apologised for any inconvenience caused by the temporary closure of a Chesterfield footbridge.
The footbridge at the bottom of Wharf Lane in Chesterfield. Picture from Google.The footbridge at the bottom of Wharf Lane in Chesterfield. Picture from Google.
The footbridge at the bottom of Wharf Lane in Chesterfield. Picture from Google.

Chesterfield resident Andrew Hibberd this week said he tried to walk across the A61 via the bridge from the bottom of Wharf Lane.

He said the bridge was shut despite a notice saying it would be open again by March 27.

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A spokesperson for Derbyshire County Council (DCC) said: “We’ve had an admin mix up with the bridge closure notice, but will put that right as soon as possible.

“The work has started and is to replace the existing railings with higher ones, waterproofing and resurfacing, repainting the movement bearings, carrying out graffiti removal and other general repairs, and it should be complete by April 16.

“We’d like to apologise for any inconvenience caused by the bridge being closed.”

Mr Hibberd said there are families living on Brimington Road who use the bridge when it is open to walk their children to Abercrombie School.

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He added: “Fortunately I only use the bridge recreationally but I feel sorry for all the people who need to use it every day, like parents taking toddlers to school, and for whom the alternative routes are at least a mile farther to walk twice a day.

“There was nothing telling them why the bridge remained closed a fortnight longer than scheduled.”

Between this month and March next year, DCC has pledged to spend £3.8million on improving bridges, structures, retaining walls and highway boundary structures across Derbyshire.

The work will be carried out by the authority’s own employees as well as a range of specialist contractors.

A message from Phil Bramley, Derbyshire Times editor

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