New pedestrian footbridge built in Northamptonshire village after years of campaigning

A new pedestrian footbridge over the Grand Union Canal near Crick will open to the public next week after years of campaigning from villagers.

The bridge, which aims to improve the safety of people using the footway along the A428 between Crick and West Haddon, was installed on Tuesday (April 14).

The coronavirus lockdown enabled workers to take advantage of less traffic on the road and reduced footfall but further work is needed before the scheduled opening on Friday, April 24.

Northamptonshire County Council cabinet member for environment and place Cllr Jason Smithers said: “I am delighted that despite the challenging time we are facing, we have managed to continue works on the Crick footbridge to ensure safety for all users.

“We will continue to pull together and follow Government guidance to help keep the essential services we all rely on, such as roads and highways, running right across the county.”

The majority of funding for the bridge was provided by Prologis (DIRFT III) and Daventry District Council, with contributions from Northamptonshire County Council, the nearby wind farm developers and Crick Parish Council, which has campaigned for the infrastructure for years.

Crick parish councillor Brian Hughes said: “All residents of Crick are delighted and relieved that they will at last be able to cross the canal safely via the new footbridge.

"Many villagers have campaigned for a bridge over the years, and it is to their great credit that they have at last succeeded.

“We are particularly grateful to the support we have received from our MP, Chris Heaton-Harris, councillor Malcolm Longley of Northamptonshire County Council, Prologis and Daventry District Council and for all the work done by Northamptonshire County Council Highways in getting the bridge constructed.

“This is a major achievement for Crick that will benefit residents and visitors for many years to come.”