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New footbridge for Shoreham given green light by County Council

West Sussex County Council has granted planning permission to demolish and replace Shoreham Footbridge.

The new bridge, which will be built by Osborne and used by pedestrians and cyclists, is to replace the existing ageing bridge on Shoreham High Street.

The decision taken by WSCC’s Planning Committee was the most significant remaining approval required before the construction programme begins.

Consent had already been given by Eric Pickles, Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, to demolish the existing footbridge inside the Conservation Area.

Permission was also granted by the Environment Agency and the Marine Management Organisation.

The construction programme is expected to start no earlier than April and last for up to 12 months.

The existing footbridge will be demolished immediately afterwards over a period of up to three months.

During the construction work, it is expected that the existing footbridge will have to be closed for between 14 and 28 days in the interests of public safety. This is likely to take the form of a series of short-term closures.

A free shuttle bus will be in operation during the footbridge closures, operating from either end of the existing bridge.

County Council member for Highways and Transport, Pieter Montyn, said: “This major engineering project will bring a number of long term benefits to Shoreham.”

“The Council will work closely with the project team to minimise any inconvenience for residents, although we hope people understand some disruption is inevitable.”

Funding for the £5.8 million project has come from the County Council and sustainable transport charity Sustrans, which received a £50 million grant from the Big Lottery Fund to extend the National Cycle Network into towns and cities across the UK.

Simon Pratt, Sustrans Regional Director for the East of England, said: “We’re delighted that this project has been given the go-ahead. The current bridge is difficult to cross, especially for cyclists”

“The new bridge will enable more people to walk and cycle to their local areas. Several schools in the area fully support this scheme and the many benefits it will give to local schoolchildren who will be able to make everyday journeys to school by foot or by bike.”

The construction, property services and civil engineering firm Osborne is building the bridge on behalf of the County Council.

Tommy Chambers who heads up Osborne’s civil engineering team said: “We will be working closely with the Council, Sustrans and other local partners to deliver this important project to the design and timescales agreed.”

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