Merton Council, in conjunction with partners Transport for London (TfL), Sustrans and the National Trust, officially opened a brand new bridge in the borough on Thursday.
Funded by TfL to the tune of £180,000, Bishopsford Road Bridge completes the missing link at the southern end of the Wandle Trail in Merton. Up until its opening, cyclists and pedestrians have had to negotiate the busy A217 Bishopsford Road before being able to enjoy the delights of Ravensbury Park and the rest of the Wandle Trail towards Sutton and Croydon. However, this new bridge will now enable everyone walking or cycling to travel around safely, away from the traffic. The council project managed the site inspection, design and construction of the bridge.
The completion of the bridge is the result of an ongoing and effective working relationship between Merton Council, TfL, the National Trust – a high profile landowner in the borough – and Sustrans. The bridge demonstrates the commitment of Merton Council and its partners to making it easier for the public to move around the borough in an environmentally-friendly way.
Merton Council cabinet member for environment and leisure services Councillor David Simpson said: “Initiatives such as this new bridge provide Merton’s residents and visitors with a welcome opportunity to cycle and walk around our borough away from some of the busier roads. We continue to work on ways to encourage people out of their cars and get them walking or cycling more. Developing cycle and pedestrian routes is one way of making this more appealing. Not only are cycling and walking great exercise, but they are also sociable ways for people of all ages to get around as well as being good for the environment.”
-ENDS-
Notes to editors
Bishopsford Road Bridge spans 25 metres and has a non-slip, three metre-wide timber deck.
Sustrans is the UK’s leading sustainable transport charity. Its vision is a world in which people choose to travel in ways that benefit their health and the environment: http://www.sustrans.org.uk