New Pelsall bridge moves step closer

At a meeting on Wednesday, Walsall Council’s cabinet agreed to de-register part of Pelsall Common that is needed to make way for the construction of the new York’s Bridge.

To compensate for this loss, the authority will provide nearby land it owns to be incorporated into the Common.

In September, the planning committee granted permission for the new structure to be built because the condition of the current bridge – which dates back to the 1800s – was said to be deteriorating and unsafe.

Officers said the bridge serviced a busy road and was no longer fit for purpose as it could only take a maximum weight of 7.5 tonnes instead of the required 44 tonnes.

While most residents who took part in a consultation were in favour of the proposal, some raised concerns over an increase in HGV lorries using it and the disruption it would cause nearby residents.

The new structure will be built alongside the current bridge.

Scuppered

The proposal was first put forward in 1988 and discussions continued into the 1990s and beyond.

Permission was granted in 2014 but the scheme was scuppered by the planning inspectorate who ruled the loss of land on Pelsall Common to make way for the development was too great and the council’s offer to compensate by creating open space elsewhere was insufficient.

But the council said this latest plan will see more open space created in the area.

At the cabinet meeting, deputy leader Adrian Andrew said: “This is calling on the cabinet to approve the de-registration of some common land at Pelsall North Common and swapping it with other council-owned land.

“It is in order to construct a new bridge to create a safer road and improve the issues of congestion at York’s Bridge.

“It is an old Victorian bridge so it will be a great improvement to transportation in Pelsall and opening up opportunities for local people.”