Decision made on Stratford bridge

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

A popular tourist town is to get a new bridge across its river despite more than half of the people asked saying they did not want it.

Residents in Stratford-upon-Avon, Warwickshire, were shown five designs for a new bridge over the River Avon.

The plan divided opinion with 56% of people who replied to a questionnaire saying they did not want it built.

On Tuesday councillors voted for design B - "the thinnest arch bridge in the world" - by 31 votes to 10.

The bridge is for the use of pedestrians and cyclists and has been designed by Ian Ritchie Architects and Schlaich Begerman & Partner.

A spokesman for Warwickshire County Council said: "It's an integral part of the World Class Stratford development.

"A town like Stratford cannot stand still.

"We've made a decision here which could influence the ability to attract future investment into Stratford and I believe we've made the right decision."