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Full steam ahead in bid to save old bridge at station

The campaign to save a historic footbridge at Burry Port Railway Station is moving ahead at full steam.

Hundreds of people have already signed a protest petition calling to retain the bridge connecting the two train station platforms, which Network Rail has threatened to remove.

Campaigner and councillor John James said: "First and foremost, this is a safety issue, and we know what happened last time the bridge was out of commission, people would cross the line as a shortcut, and my fear is that school children will also do this."

He added that the campaign was gaining pace, and expressed hope that a meeting with Network Rail tomorrow would end positively.

Llanelli MP Nia Griffith, along with Carmarthenshire councillors Pat Jones and Mr James, will meet with representatives of Network Rail tomorrow at 11am. The group will visit the bridge before moving on to a meeting to discuss the issue.

"Time is running out, with Network Rail initially stating it was their intention to move the bridge by the end of the year," Mr James said. "Support in the town and the surrounding area has been tremendous and we realise how important this meeting is as it could be the only opportunity we'll have to get them around he table to discuss keeping the bridge in Burry Port.

"We hope that between us all we can reach an amicable solution that suits everyone, but if not, we will look at other avenues to pursue. Heritage and history dictates that this bridge belongs in Burry Port and nowhere else."

Plaid Cymru is also behind efforts to save the bridge, which dates back to the 1890s. The party has expressed "anger and disappointment" at the plans to demolish the bridge and has contacted Welsh Government organisation Cadw with its concerns.

Town councillor Malcolm Davies said Cadw assessed the footbridge in 2003, and decided it did not meet the criteria to be granted listed status. He said: "It is clear that residents and traders in Burry Port are very concerned and that safety is a priority and must come first. As a community we will fight these proposals in order to save an historic landmark and a vital piece of our heritage."

When asked to comment on the community's campaign, Network Rail said it was awaiting a meeting with community representatives.

'We'll leave no stone unturned in bridge fight'

Campaigners have vowed to leave no stone unturned in their fight to save a historic footbridge at Burry Port station ^ even considering taking responsibility for it themselves.

Network Rail officers met with Llanelli MP Nia Griffith, along with councillors Pat Jones and John James, last week to discuss the future of the demolition-threatened footbridge at Burry Port Railway Station, which has been hugely objected.

Hundreds of people have signed a petition calling to save the bridge, which dates back to the 1890s.

The meeting revealed that the bridge was left in the care of Network Rail, while the station itself is run by Arriva Trains Wales ^ a situation which cannot be changed until a new franchising agreement for train services comes into force in 2018.

Ms Griffith said: "I am therefore asking the Transport Minister, Carl Sargeant, to ensure the footbridge is included as an integral part of the station for the 2018 franchise. But we still have to safeguard the bridge from now until 2018."

Following the meeting, the group announced it was looking at the possibility of securing a lease on the bridge until 2018 to prevent it being demolished.

Councillor John James said Network Rail has pledged to meet with the group again, and that they are going to submit a detailed report concerning the state of the bridge.

"What concerns me is that we were told there is a list of bridges that are in need of repair, and ours is not the worst, and the ones below us are going to be kept and have money spent on them," he added. "The positives out of the meeting are that Network Rail is going to submit a detailed report concerning the state of the bridge and that representatives have committed to meet with us again.

"I feel we must look at the financial feasibility of seeking a short-term lease on the bridge until the new franchising agreement takes effect in 2018. We are determined not to leave any stone unturned in the fight to preserve and keep the bridge in Burry Port."