Cathy Holden writes:
It’s official! Three new bridges will be in place for the summer. Work on the replacement of the Carnival and Brookly bridges (the current bridges are pictured above) as well as the new link bridge over The Flash will begin in the next few weeks.
The new Flash bridge will be particularly welcome. It will facilitate a flat access point from the railway station car park to the network of footpaths round the Pond for the mobility impaired, cyclists and those with baby buggies. The current steps will be removed once the link bridge is in place. The large willow by the culvert arches at The Flash has already been felled to make way for the new bridge (see picture above).
The funding of these bridges was achieved through a variety of sources. £15,000 was allotted from the Rushmoor Environmental Fund, £448 was generously raised by members at our Curry Evening last January and the remainder is an accrual of Local Government Section 106 funds from new developments in Fleet and Church Crookham.
It is not only our visitors with mobility scooters, wheelchairs or buggies who will benefit, the bridges will also allow our conservation work parties access to the entire Pond without having to go the long way round via the local roads.
Colin Gray, Fleet Pond Society Chairman, said: “The link bridge over The Flash has been something we have waited a long time to achieve. There has been no easy access from Fleet station car park to the pond footpath for the mobility impaired, cyclists or children’s buggies. At last we will have a level access to benefit many people.”
Keep an eye out for information displayed around the Pond informing you of when the work will be taking place, detailing necessary diversions etc.
Picture credits: Cathy Holden