One of the most visually attractive suggestions that I have heard about, is to build a new wall facing, in an almost vertical attitude. I know the bridge is listed, but if it’s hidden then the listing is not worth a light, is it? The bricks would be matched to replicate all the age and variation that we can see now, and when it’s finished, provide spaces to allow a few plants / flowers to grow over as they do now.
Our existing bridge slopes dramatically in as it goes upwards, so this ‘’vertical build’’ would give more than enough pavement width. This new ‘’vertical wall’’ should extend all the way towards the Tutti Pole. In doing so, it would only lose approx 12” (30cm) at the passage way pavement level, but increase by more than enough at the ‘’bridge pavement’’ level.
The Metal Bridge to the old ‘’Fired Earth’’ shop just needs to be shortened, and the railings that run towards the Tutti Pole now, could be removed and repositioned on the outside of the new wall. The bridge pavement at the Tutti Pole end should be re-shaped in a curving way, taking away a few feet of the cobbled parking bay. The same ‘’vertical’’ bridge wall attitude can be carried through on the Bridge Street side of the Canal. Do it this way and we retain the character and the well loved view.
All of this new brickwork can be carried out without closing the pavement until the last moment, then I suppose pedestrian traffic lights would have to be installed, for the pavement to be completed.
So this is one idea, let’s hear yours on :- Thursday evening 7pm. 3rd September