30 September 2020
Dear VIPs
I would like this matter taken seriously, please and not dismissed completely, out of hand. To that end, could Cllr Simon, Paul, Alan and Snr Rights of Way Officer, Jon White please discuss my concerns and suggestions, here and come back to me?
Although all UK local authorities have suffered cuts with ten years of austerity, many wealthy individuals have benefitted greatly with growing income from property and investments. I am asking that, perhaps in a 20 mile radius, they should be tapped for assistance with sorting out the R Rea crumbling aqueduct and public highway, near Newnham Bridge. Obviously, people like me would not give financially for greater security to stop walkers crossing or for demolition but I, for one, would help if a wire cable suspension bridge was achieved, as at Symonds Yat, mentioned to me by Jon White. Access for construction traffic might be by the nearby dismantled railway line, to then remain as a permissive bridleway. Fossil fuel-free walking must be massively boosted, with cycling and travel by horseback, as one important way of dealing with this century's coming shortages of oil and gas and, with lessening the Covid/Climate/Ecological emergency.
I am also very concerned about the unacceptable number of wrongly drawn public rights of way on the Definitive Map that lead walkers into straying off the path and trespassing. Five in one square kilometre, near the aqueduct! One, even goes straight through someone's home at New Brick Barns (path 507)! What should be done? Another encourages trespass at the old (Worcestershire CC once more) Hunnington railway station, near me. Yet, nothing ever gets changed! Reform is needed.
Please discuss the way forward over which of the three options, below you think is best. There is a fourth - continue with 'do nothing'.
Best wishes
Tim Weller
COPIED TO THE LEADER OF WORCESTERSHIRE COUNTY COUNCIL who is ultimately responsible.
Recent work opens the way for more walking groups and individuals to take a look at the very unusual, indeed special and, one of only two surviving, 18th-century brick-built aqueducts in the land. It makes it even more likely that keen walkers/inquisitive explorers like me, will come across the 'closed' bridge, make their own assessment and, with some, quickly and easily cross. Many must have done so over the years since the partial collapse in 2013. But, endangering their lives. I think, to prevent this, you must demolish what remains; or, put up effective, secure barriers that cannot be got round; or, put in a cheaper, suspension bridge like the one that Jon White, Snr Rights of Way Officer, told me about at Symonds Yat, Forest of Dean. You must share the costs of whatever you do with Shropshire County Council - copied to Richard Knight of that council. I understand it is jointly owned with the boundary down the middle of the river and through the centre of the bridge aqueduct.
Why not make a financial appeal to all Shropshire and Worcestershire council taxpayers, landowners and residents within a certain radius - 20 miles? There are very many extremely wealthy landowners and individuals in the two counties. I have offered £1,000 towards the costs of the suspension bridge crossing and I live over 20 miles away in Halesowen. Making such an appeal would raise the necessary funds and greatly encourage the donors to park their cars, put their boots on and WALK to see what they have helped to fund! Walking is now called 'active travel' and is the future in these times of finite fossil fuels enhancing disastrously, the natural greenhouse effect.
You have legally washed your hands of all liabilities for death or injury but, not your moral responsibility to competently care for the safety of the public on this public highway. You must act expeditiously to prevent harm from coming to the public over a high river crossing that both councils have neglected for very many decades. No maintenance whatsoever. And, twenty years of doing nothing since Grade 2 listing of the unusual structure. The district and county councils are wholly responsible for this shameful negligence. You now have a moral duty to act.
I would like a positive reply, please from the Leader and Chief Executive of Worcestershire County Council. Your council seems to be taking the lead and acting on behalf of Shropshire CC in this matter.
Yours sincerely
Tim Weller
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