Plaid Cymru councillors in Caerphilly have launched a campaign to prevent the closure of a popular footbridge used by hundreds of people every day, including school children.
They are urging the public to write protest letters and will attend a court hearing next month to oppose the proposals by Network Rail and the Welsh Assembly Government to close the bridge in King Edward Avenue which spans the Rhymney Valley line.
St Martin’s ward councillors Colin Elsbury, James Fussell and Stephen Kent and Councillor Ron Davies, Caerphilly council Cabinet Member for Regeneration and Countryside, complain that no plans have been drawn up to replace the bridge and no consultation has taken place with local councillors or the public.
The bridge is well used by school children on their way to and from Twyn Infants and Junior School and by pupils at St Martin’s Comprehensive School.
The alternative route that Network Rail proposes involves entering the railway platform, walking along the platform, up over a smaller, steeper bridge, and then down into the main entrance of the busy Caerphilly Railway Station and Bus Station Terminus.
Councillor Ron Davies said: ” I shall do all I can to stop this daft idea in its tracks. We do not oppose an additional railway platform being created but are totally against the demolition of the footbridge. Our view is that it can be incorporated into the plans for an extra platform. The bridge should only be replaced with a new one – but apparently the money is not available. Well, it needs to be found.”
Councillor Davies added that he would be writing formally to object to the proposal.
Councillor Colin Elsbury said: “The decision by Network Rail and WAG clearly shows they are living in cloud cuckoo land. They have absolutely no idea of the effect that the removal of this bridge will have on the local community, especially the young children who use this route to go to school.
“We do have real concerns about the alternative proposed because it will add up to 20 minutes to journey times.
“Once on the platform there is nothing to stop anyone walking to the end and crossing the line. And there are no plans to fence it off.”
An application to close the bridge is due to be heard at Caerphilly Magistrates’ Court on 11th November, 2010, at 2pm.
Caerphilly County Borough Council’s Legal Department has issued the application on behalf of Network Rail and WAG. Ward councillors, together with Councillor Ron Davies, will attend the court to oppose this application.
Residents who support the campaign can write to object to: Head of Legal Services, Penallta House, Tredomen Park, Ystrad Mynach, Hengoed, CF82 7PG.
