A meeting was held today (Friday 13th October) between National Highways, local Councillors for Bagshot and Lightwater, and Michael Gove MP, on the emergency closure of the footbridge over the M3.
Over the course of the meeting, it was made clear how the current proposals by National Highways for a replacement footbridge to be installed by late autumn 2025 are unacceptable.
Commenting, Michael said:
"Earlier today, I had a virtual meeting with Christine Allen, National Highways’ Regional Director for the South East, together with local County, Borough and Parish Councillors, Rebecca Jennings-Evans, Richard Tear, Valerie White and Katia Malcaus Cooper.
"I made it clear that a replacement footbridge must be in place as soon as possible, and I was very disappointed to hear National Highways maintain that the replacement would likely take between 18 - 24 months due to lengthy design, procurement and construction procedures. I reaffirmed how unacceptable this was, given the impact on the community, and explained that my constituents cannot be expected to wait such an unnecessary amount of time.
"National Highways did relay that they would do everything they can to expedite the works as much as possible, but I believe they must do better and I have asked for a full timetable of expected timings for completion, which National Highways promised to provide next week.
"I am awaiting a response from the Department for Transport to my correspondence last week, and following receipt of this, I will work to see what more can be done to hold National Highways to account and to press for a considerably accelerated completion of a replacement footbridge."
Cllr Katia Malcaus Cooper stated:
"We were very clear that a 24 month closure is simply unacceptable and urged them to find a quicker solution which won’t affect our community for such a long time which is unacceptable."
