Farron leads celebrations as construction starts on new Grange footbridge

Local MP, Tim Farron, visited the site in Grange-over-Sands where construction has begun on reinstating the long awaited Clare Lane Bridge.

The footbridge, which connected the town and its Edwardian promenade, had to be removed four years ago by the district authorities when it failed to meet safety regulations. This happened because of years of neglect under the Conservative led council.

However thanks to a significant investment of more than a quarter of a million pounds by the Liberal Democrat South Lakeland District Council, work has now started to restore the footbridge that crosses the Furness Line.

Tim met with some of the workers from Balfour Beatty, the construction company responsible for rebuilding the bridge to discuss their progress with local campaigner Dorothy Lownds.

Speaking afterwards Tim said: "It is fantastic that work has finally started on rebuilding the Clare Lane Bridge in Grange. I wanted to visit the site myself so that I could personally show my appreciation to the workers for delivering what the people of Grange have wanted for such a long time.

"After years of neglect by the council by the Conservatives, the Lib Dems decided to make the bridge a priority and now, finally, the bridge has arrived. This means that we're only a matter of days before this central link between the main town and the promenade is restored to its full glory."

Local campaigner Dorothy Lownds added,

"Having won our campaign to see a bridge restored to Grange, we now must redouble our efforts to get the Berners site redeveloped."