White Bridge repainted, but mucky branches still need cutting

6.47.20pm BST (GMT +0100) Tue 6th Jun 2006

White Bridge has been cleaned and painted but branches still overhang.

County councillor Malcolm Cowan has slammed Welwyn Hatfield council for not keeping their part of a deal to restore the White Bridge in Digswell Road, WGC.

Recent press articles have shown the newly repainted bridge. However the overhanging branches, which deposit the muck that made the bridge dirty, are still there. These branches also stop the light from the nearby lampposts from illuminating the footpath underneath.

Malcolm says 'when councillor Richard Smith and I asked the county council to repaint the bridge, it was on the clear understanding that the district council, who own the trees, would cut them back. They agreed to do this before last Christmas, which was well before the repainting would take place.'

It would seem clear that this has not happened. The local county highways officer has repeatedly asked the district council to complete their part of the project. The latest news is that district council officers are insisting that the trees have been cut back.

'Look at the photo and decide for themselves whether the trees have indeed been cut back so as to not overhang the bridge.'

For further information, contact Malcolm Cowan LibDem county councillor, Handside and Peartree 01707-324723.