Update on Dunningsbridge Road bridge replacement after crash

A decision on whether a bridge over Dunningsbridge Road will be replaced has been made.

The bridge over the major and very busy Sefton road was knocked down after being damaged by a lorry last year. However National Highways announced it would not be replacing the Park Bridge at Dunningsbridge Road[1], instead favouring junction crossings.

The announcement, made last week, has sparked anger from the area's MP Peter Dowd who said the decision reneged on an earlier promise by Highways England to reinstate the bridge.

Mr Dowd said he would be urging National Highways to "reverse" the decision, a view echoed by Sefton Council's[2] leader Cllr Ian Maher who called the decision "arbitrary" and against the wishes of the local community, also calling on National Highways to reinstate plans to replace the bridge.

A consultation in 2020 showed broad support for replacing the ageing bridge, according to Cllr Maher, with the results evident from a survey carried out before the bridge was condemned in October 2022 after sustaining critical damage after being crashed into by a lorry.

Local residents have also taken to social media in anger at the decisions, with concerns about safety of people crossing the busy A5036 after receiving letters from National Highways notifying them of the decision.

In the letter, a copy of which has been seen by the ECHO, National Highways said plans to replace the footbridge would not be feasible due to a change in design regulations, which would mean the creation of a much longer lead in to the bridge that would be inconvenient for many pedestrians.

National Highways said its decision to proceed with an alternative, involving junction improvements and the installation of crossing points creates "creates a safer experience for drivers, pedestrians, cyclists, parents with pushchairs and those with mobility challenges."

Head of Planning and Development at National Highways Bruce Parker said: "We are committed to improving safety and accessibility on our network in Sefton, with an inclusive approach that serves the diverse needs of the community.

“This project is the culmination of a rigorous design process, in which many options were considered.

“Our chosen way forward creates a safer experience for drivers, pedestrians, cyclists, parents with pushchairs and those with mobility challenges.”

Get the latest news from Merseyside's courts by signing up to our newsletter[5]

References

  1. ^ Dunningsbridge Road (www.liverpoolecho.co.uk)
  2. ^ Sefton Council's (www.liverpoolecho.co.uk)
  3. ^ DWP will give people with these 70 conditions up to £172 a week in PIP (www.liverpoolecho.co.uk)
  4. ^ Screams as 'electric car' explodes on driveway setting fire to home (www.liverpoolecho.co.uk)
  5. ^ newsletter (www.liverpoolecho.co.uk)

Tags: