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Tree removal work for Old Tram Bridge replacement now underway

Posted on - 25th March, 2024 - 8:00am | Author - | Posted in - Avenham, Parks, Preston City Centre, Preston Council, Preston News, Redevelopment, South Ribble News
The Old Tram Bridge site from the south side as work begins to fell trees. Pic: Blog Preston
The Old Tram Bridge site from the south side as work begins to fell trees. Pic: Blog Preston

The work to prepare the area around the Old Tram Bridge for its replacement is underway.

Dozens of trees will either be removed or cut back in order to carry out the work needed to replace the Old Tram Bridge between Preston and South Ribble. Trees to the north and south of the river, as well as some close to the Cawsey in Penwortham, have now been felled.

The final design for the Old Tram Bridge replacement – which was put forward without the public consultation on designs that had been expected – was unveiled earlier this month.

Read more: Speed limits on A583 and A6 set to be reduced as part of safety overhaul

A number of trees to the north and south of the bridge were planned to be removed to facilitate access to the site. A separate application will need to be approved by Preston City Council for the main works to begin – though this is expected to be done in time for works to start in the summer.

The bridge had been shut since 2019 due to safety concerns and had seen a campaign calling for it to be restored, leading to a funding bid made successfully to central government for funds to save the bridge.

Speaking with Blog Preston earlier this month, Preston City Council leader Matthew Brown defended the lack of public consultation on the final bridge design.

He said: “I understand there’s been very strong views… with the Tram Bridge. We’re not trying to subvert democracy. We’re just trying to work within the constraints we have.”

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