Dear Jane
Thank you for the email of yesterday that does not move things forward.
I can only appeal to your sense of unease (I hope!) in allowing the collapse of the nearby 18th century aqueduct, brick bridge and Grade 2 listed structure. It is yielding to the ravages of time and county council officer and member neglect, as we have known for many years. And the same thing is now slowly wrecking the 3rd bridge over the railway.
Therefore, I would like to suggest this in the absence of funding by the authorities. Could your officers, with less money to spend on doing their jobs be, at least, asked to organise an appeal for wealthy taxpayers in Shropshire, like me to help fund footbridge repairs? I have promised £1,000 for the R Rea crossing replacement and I don't even live in Shropshire. There are very many, very wealthy people who have done extremely well under the last eleven years of austerity, economic growth and, from Theresa May's magic money tree.
I think, Jane that it really does need you and your colleagues to organise and inspire us into parting with a little of our wealth to leave a legacy for our children and grandchildren of repaired and new footbridges for them to enjoy. We all know you will never find more than a pittance for PROW maintenance, apart from safety work. Safety work on bridges that take no vehicular traffic means permanent closure and loss of rights of way, as we all know. Therefore, you really do need to appeal for voluntary donations that will be forthcoming if only you will take the initiative, please. And work with the district and parish councils, of course. Target for help all our very wealthy landowners in the county, please. Especially the owner of the 3rd bridge.
Please will you discuss my suggestion with other senior officers and members of the Council?
Can Pete Banford take the lead, perhaps in appealing for footbridge funds?
With every good wish
No comments:
Post a Comment