Yellow brick road claim over bridge

A new bridge at Kidderminster railway station has been described as looking like the yellow brick road amid claims it clashes with neighbouring buildings.

Councillor Fran Oborski said the bridge was very bright and did not complement the red brick station buildings at all.

She said it looked like something out of a fantasy adventure saying: "It's like the yellow brick road. It doesn't look very good."

However planning officers on Wyre Forest District Council say the bridge matches another building within the station area. Councillor Helen Dyke said: "I believe the comment was that the new bridge does not match the older buildings very well.

"But on the other hand someone has said it has been done to match another building on the site." A spokesman for Network Rail said: "The new footbridge is a great asset to the station at Kidderminster. It combines brickwork and steel with stairs and two lifts providing disabled access to both platforms.

"The design was approved by both Network Rail and the council and has received a lot of positive feedback."

Campaigners hope the new footbridge at Kidderminster Station will signal an overhaul of its rundown facilities.

The structure has just been completed, which will include lifts to help disabled people reach platforms.

Critics have complained Kidderminster Station is difficult to get around because of its slopes and steps and former Councillor Robert Wheway, dubbed it "the worst in the country" for access.

Passengers who use the line regularly believe any improvements will be a boost for commuters and shoppers.

Wyre Forest District Council is working with Network Rail to make the improvements which it is hoped will act as a catalyst for a complete overhaul to include a new station building. The council says there has been a rapid increase in passengers using Kidderminster.