CONCERNS about the options for the future of Barston Bridge have been raised.
Saqib Bhatti Meriden and Solihull East MP, along with Knowle Councillors Edward Fitter and Dave Pinwell warn the process risks being perceived as not balanced and could spell closure of the bridge.
Earlier this month Solihull Council launched a consultation on the long-term options for the bridge after a inspections identified significant weakening of the bridge, prompting a reduced maximum weight limit of three tonnes and a need for long-term solutions.
The bridge is safe to use under existing weight restrictions and is monitored regularly by the Council, but is closed when required for safety reasons such as flooding.
The Council gave two options for the future of the bridge.
Firstly to replace the bridge with a new structure which has a maximum weight limit of 40 tonnes, this would require external funding of around £2million.
Or to close the bridge to vehicles and require drivers to use alternative existing roads.
Following a detailed review of the Council’s options appraisal, Mr Bhatti has expressed concern that the consultation appears to be framed in a way that implicitly favours the permanent closure of the bridge to vehicles, rather than objectively testing all reasonable alternatives.
Mr Bhatti has called on Solihull Council to reconsider the framing of the consultation, publish all supporting evidence including structural assessments, cost comparisons, emergency services input and equality impact assessments and confirm whether external funding options have been explored, including approaches to the West Midlands Combined Authority for one-off support.
The Conservative MP said: “I am deeply concerned that this consultation does not appear to be a genuinely open or neutral exercise. Closure is being treated as an acceptable outcome without proper consideration of the real-world impacts on emergency access, flood resilience, rural connectivity, school routes, local businesses, farming operations and community sustainability.
“Whilst I fully appreciate the financial challenges councils face, particularly given the current Local Government Settlement, residents deserve a consultation that is balanced, evidence-led and genuinely open to the option most strongly supported by the community.”
“Barston Bridge is not a minor local inconvenience. It is critical infrastructure for the community it serves, and its future must be decided through a fair, transparent and credible process.”
Barston Bridge provides one of the key road links between Barston, Bickenhill, Meriden, Balsall Common and Berkswell. Around 1,050 vehicles use the bridge every day.
Barston Bridge plays a vital role during flood events when alternative routes become impassable and is relied upon daily for journeys to schools, healthcare and employment.
Campaigners say closure would displace traffic onto surrounding roads, increase journey times, worsen rat-running, and weaken the overall resilience of the parish, including potential implications for emergency service response times. Longer diversion routes would also lead to increased carbon emissions and environmental harm.
Coun Fitter said: “Closing the bridge to vehicles would significantly impact journey times and divert heavier traffic onto already busy routes, including through places such as Knowle High Street.
“With Labour increasing Solihull’s housing targets by 52 per cent, it is more important than ever that we keep our transport network functioning and invest in the infrastructure residents rely on.”
Coun Pinwell said: “Restricting the future of this bridge to just two, all or nothing, options is unhelpful, especially the one which will leave the village with just one way out.
“The starting point for this project should have been to consult on what the villagers and bridge users need for the future, neither of the current options fits that bill”
A Solihull Council spokesperson said: “The Council is consulting on two long-term options for Barston Bridge to understand local views and impacts. No decision has been made on its future.
“Information on the bridge background and details of both options – including potential benefits, impacts, and funding – have been provided in the dedicated consultation webpage to provide answers to frequently asked questions.
“The Council is engaging directly with local residents, farmers and business owners and recently held a drop-in session in Barston to provide an opportunity for people to ask questions and find out further information.
“A full report with results of the consultation will be taken to a future CPH Environment and Infrastructure Decision Session, where the cabinet member will decide which option to move forward with.”
