New Thames bridge given go-ahead

The planned height of the bridge has been lowered

Plans for a permanent bridge between Shepperton and Walton-on-Thames in Surrey are a step closer after the government approved the scheme.

A new Walton Bridge has been under discussion since the 1980s, but previous plans were rejected after a planning inquiry in 2006.

Environment Secretary Hilary Benn has now given the green light to a new design for the arched bridge.

Surrey County Council gave planning permission for the bridge in January.

The new-look bridge is different from the previous scheme, with a priority T-junction at Cowey Sale, on the Walton-on-Thames side, instead of the previous half clover-leaf design.

Open views

The span of the arch has also been reduced, with its height lowered by 5.8m (19ft).

Extra spans have been added to enhance the open views along the riverside.

New ramps will be provided from the existing viaduct to the riverside which are full accessible to pedestrians cyclists and horse-riders and segregated from the road.

Councillor David Munro said: "The backing from the Secretary of State is a solid endorsement of the hard work we have put into creating a design that meets the needs of the entire community."

The existing "temporary" road and pedestrian crossings will stay in place until the new bridge is built, or 31 December 2014 at the latest.