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| Protests pause removal of Brockenhurst forest bridge | Protests pause removal of Brockenhurst forest bridge |
| (1 day later) | |
| Mike James chained himself to the bridge as demolition work was due to begin | Mike James chained himself to the bridge as demolition work was due to begin |
| A 75-year-old man has chained himself to a "much loved" footbridge in the New Forest during a protest against its planned removal. | A 75-year-old man has chained himself to a "much loved" footbridge in the New Forest during a protest against its planned removal. |
| The bridge crosses a small stream on Martins Road, Brockenhurst, and is used by walkers and livestock to access open forest land outside the village. | |
| Forestry England (FE), which manages public access to the forest, had planned to remove the 70-year-old bridge, saying its condition was "deteriorating". | Forestry England (FE), which manages public access to the forest, had planned to remove the 70-year-old bridge, saying its condition was "deteriorating". |
| Local resident Mike James attached himself to the structure, leading the planned demolition being held up "in the interest of safety". | Local resident Mike James attached himself to the structure, leading the planned demolition being held up "in the interest of safety". |
| Machinery was brought to the site to remove the bridge | Machinery was brought to the site to remove the bridge |
| Metal barriers were put in place earlier this week and the bridge's handrail was removed. | Metal barriers were put in place earlier this week and the bridge's handrail was removed. |
| About a dozen people gathered at Martins Road in Brockenhurst when contractors arrived with a bulldozer to remove the bridge on Wednesday morning. | About a dozen people gathered at Martins Road in Brockenhurst when contractors arrived with a bulldozer to remove the bridge on Wednesday morning. |
| However, work was halted when Mr James attached himself to the structure with a steel cord and padlock. | However, work was halted when Mr James attached himself to the structure with a steel cord and padlock. |
| Speaking earlier this week, he said: "There was no consultation at all and the residents are really very angry about it. | Speaking earlier this week, he said: "There was no consultation at all and the residents are really very angry about it. |
| "I've been using it 26 years - no-one's ever fallen off, as far as I'm aware." | |
| He removed himself from the bridge when the contractors left for the day. | He removed himself from the bridge when the contractors left for the day. |
| Forestry England said repairing the bridge was "not feasible" because of the impact on the habitat | Forestry England said repairing the bridge was "not feasible" because of the impact on the habitat |
| Residents said the alternative crossing recommended by Forestry England is on a busy road with no pavement or street lighting and thick brambles makes it unsuitable and unsafe. | Residents said the alternative crossing recommended by Forestry England is on a busy road with no pavement or street lighting and thick brambles makes it unsuitable and unsafe. |
| Hannah Foster said her six-year-old daughter was now worried about walking along the road. | Hannah Foster said her six-year-old daughter was now worried about walking along the road. |
| "My daughter and I walked the new supposedly safe route on Sunday and the cars came so close to us," she said. | "My daughter and I walked the new supposedly safe route on Sunday and the cars came so close to us," she said. |
| "In the dark, in winter, where are people going to walk? It's an accident waiting to happen." | "In the dark, in winter, where are people going to walk? It's an accident waiting to happen." |
| Villagers gathered to protest when contractors arrived to remove the bridge | Villagers gathered to protest when contractors arrived to remove the bridge |
| FE said work had been "paused in interest of safety while someone is on the bridge". | FE said work had been "paused in interest of safety while someone is on the bridge". |
| It previously explained: "We appreciate that this footbridge is a much-loved feature of the local landscape. | It previously explained: "We appreciate that this footbridge is a much-loved feature of the local landscape. |
| "However, its design and structure no longer meet modern safety standards, and recent assessments by civil engineers show that it's deteriorating further." | "However, its design and structure no longer meet modern safety standards, and recent assessments by civil engineers show that it's deteriorating further." |
| It said it had addressed concerns about the alternative bridge by cutting back vegetation to create a "clear view to see along the road". | It said it had addressed concerns about the alternative bridge by cutting back vegetation to create a "clear view to see along the road". |
| It maintained the bridge could not be replaced or upgraded because of environmental protections on the area. | It maintained the bridge could not be replaced or upgraded because of environmental protections on the area. |
| You can follow BBC Hampshire & Isle of Wight on Facebook, X, or Instagram. | You can follow BBC Hampshire & Isle of Wight on Facebook, X, or Instagram. |
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