A bridge near Romsey is in desperate need of repair, according to a borough councillor.

Test Valley Borough Councillor Alan Dowden is calling for the bridge over Tanners Brook in Bracken Close, North Baddesley, to be fixed after a crack appeared.

After reporting the damage to Hampshire Highways, the crack has subsequently got worse and concerns are growing about its safety.

Cllr Dowden said: “I have been reporting my concern after residents first contacted me about the state of the bridge for about five years. The last time I reported it was year ago the long crack was filled with cement.

“The crack has further widened, residents are concerned there could be a major incident if it were to collapse whilst someone was walking over it, or children were playing in Tanners Brook stream underneath. In my opinion the bridge should be strengthened.”

The Test Valley Borough Councillor will be call on the leader of Hampshire County Council to get the bridge repaired before a serious incident occurs.

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This will be put to the leader at the next full council on February 17.

In his question to the leader, Cllr Dowden said: “May I ask the leader of the County Council Cllr Keith Mans to please intervene and seek that work is carried out to strengthen a small brick-built bridge that gives passage over Tanners Brook in Bracken Close, North Baddesley for pedestrians.

“I, along with residents have appealed for this work to be carried out for years now. The bridge is seriously cracked and residents fear that one day it may collapse.

“The last correspondence I received early last year in regards of this matter was from Hampshire Highways, reference number 7075817, stating that the old brick wall had a movement crack along one of the joints and some pointing was carried out.

“This crack has opened further and I consider some further work would be advisable. to prevent an accident that could result in causing a serious incident.”

Councillor Russell Oppenheimer, executive member for highways operations at Hampshire County Council said: “I can confirm that one of our highway engineers has recently inspected the footbridge over Tanners Brook and has confirmed that the brickwork has deteriorated since their previous inspection. In light of this, the bridge has been temporarily closed, as a safety precaution, while arrangements are made to carry out the necessary repairs.”

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Kimberley Barber