Bridge repair timetable is agreed

Residents are angry at the way the council has dealt with the closure

A timetable has been agreed to reopen a bridge shut for safety reasons.

Villagers had accused Herefordshire Council of maladministration over the handling of the closure of Colwall Bridge last August.

It opened to light traffic in December but villagers its narrow chicane has damaged cars, and business turnover has been down by 40% since it shut.

Network Rail, which owns the bridge, has "fast-tracked" the project and it will be ready to open in March 2009.

The current structure, which links two parts of the same village, will be demolished next February and the new one constructed with a planned opening in March, the council said.

"We understand the frustration of residents and traders in Colwall", a spokesman added.

Residents have complained about the council to the local government ombudsman.

A spokesman said their complaint centres on the council's alleged negligence and lack of consultation, implementing dangerous alternative routes, insufficient effort, not informing council committees and poor communication.