A ‘hero’ pensioner chained himself to a ‘much-loved’ village footbridge in a bid to stop it being demolished.
Bulldozers arrived in Brockenhurst on Wednesday to start tearing down the 70-year-old footbridge, but were forced to pause after local resident Mike James strapped himself to the structure.
Forestry England, which manages public access to the forest, sparked fury among locals when it lodged plans to demolish the ‘deteriorating’ bridge.
However, their attempts to knock it down were thwarted by dozens of protesters, who joined Mr James in blocking access.
Mr James had planned to chain himself to the barriers on the bridge, but it had been removed earlier in the week along with the handrail.
So instead, he attached himself to the structure with a steel cord and padlock and waged a stand-off with contractors until they left for the day.
He said: ‘There was no consultation at all, and the residents are really angry about it. I’ve been using it 26 years – no one’s ever fallen off as far as I’m aware.’
Residents of the affluent New Forest village, where the average home costs £1 million, say the bridge which crosses a small stream is used by around 100 people every day.
The footbridge was due to be demolished on Wednesday but ‘hero’ Mike James (pictured) fought back by strapping himself to it for the day
Forestry England, which is behind the controversial removal of the 70-year-old bridge, was not able to complete the works despite having a bulldozer there
But Forestry England has deemed the bridge in the New Forest village unsafe, and replacing it would cost in the region of £45,000.
Instead, villagers will be diverted onto an alternative route that takes just four minutes longer but requires pedestrians to share a metre-wide stretch of road with cars.
Locals have previously argued the diversion is ‘extremely hazardous’ and have branded the move ‘an accident waiting to happen’.
Hannah Foster said the alternate crossing recommended by Forestry England was not suitable and dangerous because it is on a busy road with a blind bend and no pavement.
The mother-of-two previously said that she thinks traffic travels dangerously fast on the stretch of road that people would have to walk along to get to the forest.
Mrs Foster said: ‘We’re very concerned about the removal of the footbridge. It would mean we have to access the Forest via Meerut Road – it’s an accident waiting to happen.’
It is used by people going to and from a popular walking area known as Black Knowl near Brockenhurst.
The new route is said to be 200 metres away from the bridge, but residents are concerned for their safety on the new path.
Plans to demolish the narrow concrete structure were shelved four years ago after sparking a public outcry but Forestry England tried again in April to be met by protests.
Forestry England said it had ‘paused in interest of safety while someone is on the bridge’.
They previously said: ‘We appreciate that the footbridge near Martin’s Road in Brockenhurst 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.
‘We have carefully considered options to upgrade or replace the bridge, but unfortunately, these are not feasible due to environmental constraints – this part of the New Forest is highly protected.
‘A nearby wooden bridge, just 200 metres away, provides a safe alternative crossing point.
‘To make access to this route more convenient, we’ve cleared vegetation to improve visibility and create a clear view to see along the road.’
Locals have previously argued the diversion is ‘extremely hazardous’ and have branded the move ‘an accident waiting to happen’
The agency has said replacing the bridge, which links to a popular walking spot known as Black Knowl, would cost £45,000
Brockenhurst resident James Crill told the agency’s regional communications manager, Esta Mion, that the decision was ‘absolutely outrageous’.
He said: ‘You do not have the authority to remove a bridge which is clearly part of a public right of way.
‘Whilst I fully understand that there is a discussion about the state of the bridge and who should be responsible for its maintenance, the correct and legal solution is not to simply remove it without replacing it.
‘I would welcome your confirmation that no removal actions will be taken until this matter is resolved satisfactorily and legally.
‘Failing such confirmation, I reserve the right to make an urgent application for an injunction to prevent further works.’
In her reply, Ms Mion said Forestry England had liaised with Hampshire County Council.
She said: ‘Their legal advice has confirmed that no public right of way exists over the bridge and, as the landowner, Forestry England does indeed have the necessary authority to remove it in the interest of everyone’s safety.’
Ms Mion said another bridge was less than 200 metres away.
She added that Forestry England had responded to concerns raised by villagers by cutting back vegetation, enabling the alternative bridge to be accessed by walking on the Forest rather than the road.
Villagers also battling to save it include Chris and Bernadette Daniels, who live a minute’s walk from it – Mr Daniels described Ms Mion’s comments as a disgrace.
He said Forestry England was determined to demolish the bridge without evaluating its importance and the legitimate issues that had been identified by members of the local community.
The couple previously said that pedestrians would have to navigate a sharp bend if the footbridge was demolished.
They said: ‘The bend is already extremely hazardous due to the amount of traffic and the excessive speed of vehicles.
‘Budgetary pressures on entities such as Forestry England are fully recognised and the need to reduce costs understood. However, the bridge is fundamentally sound.
‘The cost of work required to meet safety requirements is trivial compared to the implications of pedestrians having to use Meerut Road at such a dangerous location.’
The couple added that the removal of the footbridge would result in the loss of an important local asset.
They said: ‘The bridge is used daily throughout the year by local people and visitors to the area, including walkers, dog walkers, and runners.
‘It’s on the footpath route to Black Knowl and is constantly used by people at Holland’s Wood campsite, which is managed by Forestry England.
‘Records show a crossing has existed at this location for 100 years.’
The Daily Mail has approached Hampshire County Council for comment.
