THE campaign to replace damaged Ovingham Bridge with a larger river crossing has attracted fresh support.

Parish councils in East Tynedale have given their backing to Prudhoe Town Council’s bid for a new bridge.

In January the town council wrote to MP for Hexham and the Government to request they investigate funding a new bridge in Low Prudhoe.

It was felt that the current Victorian structure would not meet the requirements of Prudhoe’s growing population.

Letters were then sent to fellow councils in the East Tynedale area, to gauge how widespread the demand for a new bridge was.

So far, Hedley Parish Council, Broomley and Stocksfield Parish Council, Ovington Parish Council and Ovingham Parish Council have responded giving their support.

Only Wylam Parish Council has given a negative reply, stating that the cost of a new bridge would be “prohibitive” and that a new road to the A69 would “scar the landscape”.

Broomley and Stocksfield Parish Council noted that a new bridge could reduce traffic using the A695 through Stocksfield.

The letter from Hedley Parish Council stated: “Briefly, it is supported because of the problems associated with an out-of-date bridge and the amount of traffic it is expected to carry and the appalling delay and shoddy workmanship in attempting to upgrade the bridge, which were not helped by the substantial flooding in December 2015, not to mention the cost to date.”

Councillors at Ovington Parish Council felt Ovingham and Ovington would not cope with increased traffic if the current bridge was widened.

Ovingham Parish Council listed a number of reasons for supporting the construction of a new bridge, explaining that the infrastructure of the current bridge and roads in Ovingham are not suitable for increased traffic.

The letter suggested that a transport strategy be developed between Northumberland County Council and Gateshead Town Council in order to: “Consider improving road and public transport links between the two authorities and if appropriate consider an alternative crossing east of Ovingham and Wylam which would lead directly to the A69 without leading additional traffic into the two village areas.”

The responses were considered at the latest meeting of Prudhoe Town Council.

It was agreed that the council would contact the county council, summarise the letters of support from nearby parish councils, and request that the county council liaise with the Government regarding the possibility of a new bridge.

Speaking at the meeting, county councillor Tony Reid said: “People are really sick of the crossing still being closed.

“The community feels that something more positive has to happen.

“They know that the town is going to grow. The latest proposed development will divert more traffic to the town.

“And the road bridge is not going to meet requirements.

“The community-need has changed. The councils believe we should press ahead and I fully support it.

“The feasibility report from 2007 said that if you’re going to bid for that money in the North-East and see what you’re competing against you are not going to win.

“It’s coming across quite strongly what the community wants.

“And if we don’t speak up for our community no-one else will. If you don’t try you don’t get anything.”