Landmark bridge set for demolition
An iconic Victorian railway bridge is to be demolished after objectors lost a three-day court battle.
Leicester City Council was yesterday granted an order to close a public footpath over the Bowstring Bridge, in Leicester's West End – the last hurdle before it can be demolished.
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The Bowstring Bridge
More than 6,000 people had signed petitions to save the bridge, in Braunstone Gate.
It was made into a footpath over the River Soar in 1985, but closed in 2000 because of safety fears.
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During the hearing at Leicester Magistrates' Court, Leicester Civic Society, The Victorian Society, Industrial History Society, Footpaths Association, Ramblers Association, cycling organisation Cyclemagic and residents all argued the bridge should be saved.
However, District Judge John Stobart granted the city council's application for a "stopping order".
Objectors admitted their battle had been an uphill one.
The bridge was recently rejected by English Heritage for listed status and the city council had no legal obligation to maintain it.
Judge Stobart said: "The city council has been open and realistic. It has created an alternative route under the bridge, however mundane by comparison.
"It follows that – not without a heavy heart – I grant the application for the stopping order."
With the bridge gone, De Montfort University will be able to press ahead with plans for a £6 million swimming pool and sports centre.
It said the centre would be would be open to members of the public.
The development is also expected to include the demolition of the Pump and Tap pub, in Duns Lane.
John Husain, who owns the pub, said: "We didn't go down without a fight. I hope this makes the council more considerate of the city's history and people's feelings before it does this sort of thing in the future.
"We still don't know the future of the pub or what De Montfort University plans to do.
"Hopefully, this fight has made the university more mindful of the extent of public concern."
Stuart Bailey, of Leicester Civic Society, said: "It was a close-run thing. It's scandalous the city council is prepared to play fast and loose with the city's heritage.
"Based on the number of objectors, it was quite clear the people of Leicester wanted the bridge to be maintained and restored."
Gaz Hunt, 37, who attended the hearing, said: "It was a foregone conclusion, in my opinion.
"It's a unique feature of the area and a unique piece of engineering. It won't be the same without it."
The city council said demolition was not imminent.
A university spokeswoman said: "The court decision only determines the right of way issue. We cannot make any decision until the future of the bridge is determined."
Comments
by L, Leics
Monday, October 13 2008, 11:55AM
“Shame the university cant incorporate the bridge into the new facilities (a cafe and seating area overlooking the pool)..wishful thinking perhaps! If the council won't pay to maintain the bridge it'll probably result in its eventual demolition due to safety concerns, so why not use the space for something of more use? the university gym offers really good membership deals (c£10 per month for non students) so this could benefit locals who want to get fit but perhaps cant afford the expensive £30-£50 per month health clubs! i know i cant! And just in defence of students, most of us have to work damn hard to fund our way through uni and we do pay taxes...we're not all loud and drunken revellers!”
by Mr Smythe, aylestone
Monday, October 13 2008, 9:12AM
“What the colleges and unis want they normally get...Why even bother fighting them.We've al seen the horrible plastic looking uni buildings springing up all over Leicester.They appear to run this town.I think a lot of behind the scene hand shaking goes on.”
by Paul, Oadby
Friday, October 10 2008, 12:35PM
“How many examples are there where there are effectively two bridges over each other spanning road and water and to lose the pump and tap as well is such a shame. I understand the bridge has become unsafe, but this is due to a bad maintenance schedule from the council, if it had been repainted every couple of years there would not have been any major problems to contend with particularly as it has not dealt with heavy traffic for years. Just how much would a lick of paint have cost?
As for the sports centre i agree with some of the comments here, saffron lane has now also fallen into disrepair, yet only a few years before it closed the i was told the council had spent somewhere in the region of £40 000 on the cycle track in a vain attempt to attract cycling events back to Leicester, none of which as far as i am aware ever arrived.Now that amount of money could have been far better used elsewhere, maybe one day we will get a council that cares!”
by Tony, Leicester
Friday, October 10 2008, 12:31PM
“I thought the idea of a bridge was to join communities not to divide them.”
by Neil, Leicester
Friday, October 10 2008, 12:31PM
“So, we cannot afford to keep part of our city's heritage but we can afford to send a load of council officials for a holiday (sorry fact finding jaunt) to America.”
by Jon, Leicester
Friday, October 10 2008, 12:24PM
“Good riddance I say. The bridge is an unsightly eyesore and blights the area. Removing it will make the area brighter and feel more open.”
by Terry Kirby, Leicester
Friday, October 10 2008, 12:17PM
“This is typical of a City Council that knows very little and cares even less about the heritage of this city. Why not go for the Jewry Wall and Leicester Castle next? Oops, sorry... I've probably given the mandarins at New Walk Centre some ideas for future demolition work...”
by Kate, Coalville
Friday, October 10 2008, 12:15PM
“To Danny, Leicester - 6000 people objecting may not seem much to you, but then just what proportion of Leicester's population these days were actually born in Leicester, or even on this wonderful island, and therefore care about an old bridge? It's an unfortunate side effect of the multi-cultural society the council loves to spout on about.”
by JJ, Leicester
Friday, October 10 2008, 12:09PM
“Speaking as a former student it would be a travesty if the Pump & Tap was lost .
There's no harm in the city developing and moving forward but this development seems to have been forged from the clout of DMU representing students (who stay for what - 3-4years) against residents who have lived there for years and a long-standing small business.
I wonder what further plans DMU has up its sleeve - any more decent long-standing areas they fancy churning up? After all, they have the keys to the city, as far as the council is concerned. A worrying precedent has been set.”
by jj, Leicester
Friday, October 10 2008, 12:08PM
“Speaking as a former student it would be a travesty if the Pump & Tap was lost. There's no harm in the city developing and moving forward, but this development seems to have been forged from the clout of DMU representing students (who stay for what? Three to four years?) against residents who have lived there for years and a long-standing small business. I wonder what further plans DMU has up its sleeve - any more decent long-standing areas they fancy churning up? After all, they have the keys to the city, as far as the council is concerned. A worrying precedent has been set.”