Civic society disappointed at lack of say about design (From Evesham Journal)

Civic society disappointed at lack of say about design

8:00am Friday 17th February 2012 in News

A GROUP which aims to conserve, protect and improve Evesham’s best aspects is disappointed that it did not have much input into the design of the new bridge.

Members of the Vale of Evesham Civic Society have not been overly impressed that Worcestershire County Council decided to let contractors draw up designs and detail how they would replace Abbey Bridge instead of the traditional approach whereby officers, having consulted with other groups, would dictate certain aspects of the design and build process.

Colin Tether, the civic society’s chairman, said: “We haven’t really had a chance to be involved in the design at all.

“We would have liked a tiny bit more input.”

Transport chiefs argued that by giving contractors freedom it has helped to reduce the amount of disruption the town will face – it was orginally feared the work could see the bridge closed for about a year.

Mr Tether admitted that is good news but added: “Of course the bridge will be there for many years to come.” The new bridge, which will be made out of reinforced concrete and will have a 120-year guarentee, is strikingly similar to the old one.

Peter Blake, head of integrated transport at Worcestershire County Council, said tenders had three main objectives: to demonstrate value for money, make it as aesthetically pleasing as possible and cause the least disruption to the town.

As a result, there is a feeling this was a missed opportunity to build a ‘gateway bridge’ but two local county councillors are happy.

Councillor John Smith, cabinet member for transport and member for Evesham North West, said: “People might ask why we haven’t gone for a Diglis Bridge [in Worcester] but it doesn’t fit in with the character of Evesham.”

Coun Bob Banks, who represents Evesham South, said a “wacky” design might have attracted a large number of complaints which could have held up the planning process.

Speaking before he had seen the final design of the new bridge Mr Tether, who had seen some of the proposals put forward, said: “I know what it’s going to look like more or less; it’s nothing particularly different from what is there now.”