'No' vote over Stratford bridge

The winning design would create the world's thinnest arched bridge

Plans for a new bridge to be built over the River Avon in Stratford have been rejected by people in the town.

Some 56% of 2,500 people who responded to a consultation about the bridge's design said they did not want it built.

Despite this, Warwickshire County Council has announced the preferred choice of five designs for a bridge.

It chose a "modest, simple and elegant" design, which was sensitive to the setting close to Holy Trinity Church, where William Shakespeare is buried.

The "Plan B" choice, if it is ever built, would create the thinnest arch bridge in the world, according to the council.

The consultation also showed that a lot of people had concerns Councillor Chris Saint

Councillor Chris Saint, in charge of economic development at the council, said some of the forms returned during the consultation had been abusive.

Others simply had the words "No bridge" scrawled across them.

He said he believed those against the bridge, seemed concerned about it spoiling the view along the river in one of the popular spots for tourists in the town.

Ralph Madden, from the pressure group Stratford Voice which has opposed the bridge, said: "It is a lovely bridge for anywhere in the world but not for Stratford.

"Stratford doesn't want a bridge and it doesn't want it in this place."

The new bridge would be in the distance behind the theatre (right)

The £2m foot and cycle bridge would cross the lock linking the Stratford-upon-Avon canal and the Avon and is part of the wider World Class Stratford initiative aimed at transforming the town's riverfront.

Mr Saint said: "The consultation also showed that a lot of people had concerns, many about the lack of detail.

"In considering whether to proceed with the proposed bridge, the county council will now need to review the key concerns and decide whether to progress from concept to the next stage."

He told BBC Radio Coventry and Warwickshire the council "isn't in the business of ignoring the public".

However, he would not rule out the bridge being built.

Warwickshire County Council is expected to debate the bridge plan at a full meeting on 12 December.