MEMBERS of Bramshott and Liphook Parish Council’s recreation committee have agreed to go ahead with the replacement of Radford Park bridge by Hampshire County Council – at a cost of just under £60,000.

After a heated discussion, the majority of councillors agreed to proceed with the county council’s proposal.

Hampshire County Council has included a hefty consultancy fee in their quote, to commission a new bridge, which will take 29 weeks to construct.

Jeanette Kirby argued the parish council had a responsibility to replace the bridge, get the best value for money, and said it would be too time consuming to get quotes from other contractors. The county had done a survey and followed due process, guaranteeing a lifespan of 50 years for a new bridge. She said a decision coudl not be delayed any longer.

Recreation committee chairman James Green, who has met with council consultants, explained any replacement bridge required a specific process involving geological and environmental studies. It could not be passed to any contractor without clear and defined specifications, he added.

The replacement bridge will require safer access for the disabled, wheelchair users and mobility scooters, and Mr Green said work could not begin or be carried out during winter months.

The parish council will now make an application to East Hampshire District Council for developer’s contributions towards the replacement costs.

At the beginning of the year, the parish was forced to close the wooden bridge after an inspection found it to be unsafe for public use.

The wooden bridge was constructed 33 years ago by a team, which included one of the current ground staff, and is sorely missed by residents.

In addition, repairs required to the walkway around the park have also been discussed by councillors, who proposed the area is taped off immediately for safety reasons, and checked on a weekly basis by ground staff.

Councillors agreed to refer the costs for repairs to the earth bank to the executive or deputy executive officer at the Haskell Centre – with a recommendation the Environment Agency should be contacted for advice.