Ashford Lane footbridge – Bucks CC issues safety warning

Bucks  CC has issued a safety notice warning people to keep away from the collapsed Ashford Lane footbridge in Dorney and installed new hoarding.

Already closed for structural reasons, this timber footbridge collapsed under its own weight into the Jubilee River.

The Council notice overlooks and even diverts attention from some important questions as follows:

• Why was the life of this infrastructure element so short?
• Why did Bucks CC accept responsibility for an Environment Agency design and construction?
• Collapsed footbridge will be removed when?
• Replacement will be completed by when?
• How many timber bridges are there?
• Published inspection and maintenance reports?
• Total cost of replacement is estimated at £?
• Who will pay for replacements? (>£10m?)

END