Ernie Clark. Hilperton Division, Wiltshire Council.

An objection has been lodged to the temporary closure.
Below, I reproduce an email sent by myself to Mr. Batten at WCC. It has been acknowledged and I am advised that "We are looking into this matter and will respond to you shortly."

Dear Mr. Batten,

As the WCC member for Semington, I am writing to you to formally object to the planned temporary closure of the public right of way crossing the Kennet & Avon Canal (FP1).

I realise that there is no formal scheme for objecting to a temporary closure, but I have been contacted by numerous individuals that are aggrieved by the planned closure. In addition, I have been approached by the parish council and have witnessed for myself the high number of people that use this bridge to cross the canal.

I met Steve Leonard on site last week and he advised me that British Waterways (BWB) has requested the closure on safety grounds. If this bridge is a safety hazard I would ask "Why?" Is it because BWB chose not to maintain it in a safe condition? If so, why should local residents be inconvenienced? Why can't BWB apply a stoppage order to the canal and lock the bridge 'closed'? Surely this would be safer as the farmer wouldn't have to unlock it and swing it to gain access to his fields?

BWB must have been aware of developing problems with the bridge, so why didn't they do something during last winter?

I would ask that WCC refuses this application because, as you know, WCC has a duty under the Highways Act 1980 'to assert and protect the rights of the public to the use and enjoyment of any highway'. Your duty is to the public, not to BWB.

If, however, BWB agree to erect a temporary footbridge across the canal for the duration of the closure, I would imagine that this would be an acceptable compromise. I can't see the cost exceeding £10k or so which seems reasonable to me.

Incidentally, is BWB also liable for the maintenance of the bridge approaches? If so, I presume that the 100 yards on the Semington side of the canal will be repaired as part of the bridge repair work?

Cllr. Ernie Clark, Holt & Paxcroft Division.