A Burnham-On-Sea town councillor has this week proposed a new bridge be built across the River Parrett estuary to open up more of the coastline to walkers.
Cllr Phil Harvey, right, told a Town Council meeting that a pedestrian bridge running across the river from south of Burnham to Steart would help to encourage more walkers and visitors into the area to explore a large area of coastline that is currently difficult to access.
“Visitors wanting to get across to Steart from Burnham currently have to travel more than 15 miles by road through Bridgwater, Cannington and Combwich which is just ridiculous,” he said.
“A simple bridge 100 yards long across the river estuary would open up access for walkers and cyclists. It would have to be tall enough to allow ships and boats underneath. It would open up a large area of land to visitors on the other side of the estuary.”
The comments came during a debate about Natural England’s proposals to promote coastal access around the UK. Councillors noted that no significant improvements are planned for the Burnham area, prompting the proposals for investment in a new river bridge.
Cllr Harvey added: “I’d like to see it flagged up for future possible funding to enhance the area. There is an opportunity here.”
The proposal comes as work to develop a new £20m wildlife habitat on the Steart penninusula continues, as first featured here.
Pictured: Cllr Phil Harvey with the River Parrett estuary in the background where the proposed bridge would stretch across
