Brockenhurst residents and councillor’s final plea to save footbridge off Martins Road from demolition by Forestry England and Hampshire County Council

Furious villagers have made last-ditch attempts to save a popular footbridge from being ripped out tomorrow (Wednesday).

Brockenhurst residents have been fighting to keep the footbridge near Martins Road, which Forestry England (FE) says is no longer safe and must be removed after 130 years of use.

Locals also claim a proposed alternative route for pedestrians crossing unmade land to reach a bridge on Meerut Road brings with it “added dangers”.

A&T reader Hannah Foster sent footage of the suggested route to FE and said: “These videos and photographs I took illustrate the dangers of not only crossing the road bridge on Meerut Road – your suggested new access route in lieu of the bridge in question – but also the danger of the pathways through to that bridge.

“Please note this is early September after a particularly dry summer. Come the winter, the paths leading to the Meerut Road bridge will become, at best, deep in mud and thus very dangerous, or impassable forcing us onto the road to even access the Meerut Road bridge.

”I am sure you will agree [these images] clearly demonstrate the added danger to adults, children and dogs of using this route.”

FE, with county council support, plans to begin removing the structure tomorrow.

Supporting local residents, Brockenhurst and Denny Lodge district councillor Adam Parker wrote to FE to say losing the bridge would be a “great shame and a real imposition” on Martins Road and Meerut Road residents, and walkers from further afield.

“This bridge has long served as a safe, reliable, and well-loved crossing point for pedestrians, including children, elderly residents, and those with mobility challenges,” he wrote. “Its charm and resilience have made it a quiet but vital part of our village’s character and infrastructure.

“The proposed removal has raised significant concern, not only due to the loss of a safe crossing but also because the rationale behind the decision appears unclear. Many residents (including me) are skeptical of the claims regarding safety and maintenance, especially given the bridge’s continued serviceability and the absence of any publicly documented structural failures.”

He continued: “In addition to its practical function, the footbridge plays a meaningful role in supporting the physical and mental well-being of residents. It provides direct access to walking routes within the New Forest, encouraging regular outdoor activity and connection with nature.

“We respectfully urge you to reconsider the decision and explore alternatives that preserve this important asset. The community stands ready to support efforts that ensure both safety and heritage are upheld.”

Martins Lane resident James Crill wrote to Forestry England to say locals are “absolutely furious” the bridge is to be removed. He also claimed an alternative route to access the Forest was “dangerous”.

“This is a historic bridge that is at least 100 years old and should be saved,” he wrote. “The alternative route involves crossing busy roads and using roads where there are sometimes no pavements. Someone could be killed or badly injured.”

As the A&T reported earlier this year, Forestry England claim the bridge is no longer safe.

Its removal was first mooted four years ago, when parish councillors and residents stepped in, protesting to FE and Hampshire County Council. HCC said the decision over the removal of the bridge would be delayed "given the depth of feeling".

Mr Crill said: “The FE only sent a letter to the parish council last Thursday saying it was being removed this Wednesday.

“They seem to have totally ignored locals’ objections and, to be honest, I was shocked and horrified by their announcement; it is outrageous. To give us such little warning is disingenuous at most.

“No one has had sight of these reports or studies that claim the bridge would cost £45,000 to replace. Its about 15ft across and I fail to see how on earth it could cost that much unless they are intending to use solid gold girders.”

In a reply letter to Mr Crill, FE said it appreciates the bridge is “very much a feature of the local landscape” but that its “design and structure no longer meet modern standards” and a recent investigation by a structural engineer shows it is “deteriorating further”.

The authority said: “I’d like to reassure you that removing [the bridge] is our last resort option and we’re only doing so after civil engineers’ careful consideration of the risks involved.

“We’ve sought confirmation from Hampshire County Council, and their legal advice has confirmed that no public right of way exists over the bridge, and as the landowner, Forestry England has ownership of the bridge and does indeed have the necessary authority to remove it, in the interest of everyone’s safety.

”There’s another bridge very nearby, less than 200 meters away. The decision has been made to remove the unsafe bridge and provide better access to this alternative crossing.

“We have listened to the concerns raised by some local residents’ about using this alternative bridge, and we’ve addressed these by cutting back vegetation so that it can be easily accessed by walking on the Forest rather than the road and creating a clear view to see along Meerut Road.”

Brockenhurst resident Christopher Daniels said FE’s response is “frankly a disgrace”. He added: “It confirms without question the managers at Forestry England are determined to proceed with the removal of the footbridge at Martins Road without any credible evaluation of its importance and of the legitimate issues that have been identified to you by numerous members of the local community.”