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The new Birstall Bridge opened at Watermead Park on Friday 27th November and is set to make the area more accessible to all visitors.

People will be able to cross the new bridge at Birstall Lock much more easily as it has more gentle approaches. It is similar in design to the new bridge at Thurmaston Lock, which opened in July.  The ramps up to the old bridge were very steep, making it difficult to negotiate for cyclists or parents with buggies and impossible for someone using a wheelchair.

Over the next five years, Leicestershire County Council will be improving both paths and trails in and around the park and links from surrounding villages and into the city’s well established cycling network. Other improvements will include new crossings at busy roads and alterations to bridges in the park.  Ernie White, Cabinet Lead Member for Country Parks at the County Council, said: “The park is popular with visitors from all over the city and county. We want to make sure that the changes over the next five years will greatly improve accessibility into and around the park for all of these people.”

Patrick Davis, Area Manager for Sustrans, said: “We are delighted to be making this significant step towards completing the scheme in Leicestershire.  In this era of rising fuel prices and concerns about the health of individuals and our environment, enabling more journeys to be made by foot and bike can only benefit our community.”

Published on 01st Dec 2009