St Neots new bridge was too long

HIGHWAYS staff had to cut back a footpath after a new bridge was found to be too long for a section of river in St Neots. After two years in the making, the new footbridge was constructed last week at Hen Brook in Eynesbury. But the new steel bridge, whi

HIGHWAYS staff had to cut back a footpath after a new bridge was found to be too long for a section of river in St Neots.

After two years in the making, the new footbridge was constructed last week at Hen Brook in Eynesbury.

But the new steel bridge, which was replacing an old wooden timber one that had been vandalised, was found to be too long.

Cambridgeshire County Council workers were reported to have taken an hour to remove a section of bricks from the footpath so the bridge could fit.

David Carter, who lives nearby, contacted The Hunts Post saying he could not believe his eyes.

"I was just aghast at the man hours that were spent on this exercise," said Mr Carter.

"The footbridge is a very important link used by schoolchildren and dog walkers so it is unfortunate it took two years to provide a replacement, and then it was too long."

A spokesman for CCC said it is not unusual to have to make adjustments.

He said: "We used off-the-shelf steel sections for this footbridge to keep costs down but this also meant it was too long and had to be adjusted on site."

The bridge opened to the public on Friday (May 1).