Pensioner Michael James chains himself to Martins Road bridge in Brockenhurst as protesters stop Forestry England demolition

A villager chained himself to a bridge to stop contractors sent by Forestry England from ripping it out.

Michael James (75) used metal wire and a heavy lock to secure himself to the bridge which locals are fighting to keep. He was joined by fellow protester Kathryn Whalley who laid down on the bridge on a pink blanket telling workmen she and Mr James were not budging.

When told that police would be called and they could be arrested, Mr James said: “I don’t care, I’m not going anywhere.”

They were part of a band of protesters who turned out in force yesterday (Wednesday) to thwart the FE’s plans to get rid of the footbridge which villagers claim is over a 100 years old.

FE had given just a week’s notice that it intended to demolish it yesterday claiming it is unsafe and cost £45,000 to repair.

But on Tuesday night villagers were shocked to discover contractors had installed barriers at each end of and removed a metal handrail.

They then turned up on Wednesday morning to complete the removal but found their way barred by the protesters.

Mr James, who had chained himself in the early hours to the bridge, said: “This bridge is part of village history. Everybody uses it, today the ponies were queuing up to come over it and couldn’t work out why they couldn’t get on it.

“The FE have deemed it unsafe with absolutely no consultation with villagers and giving us no chance to come up with a solution to save it.”

Ms Whalley agreed: “I am very angry that no one has asked us villagers about the bridge. The FE has just come along and said ‘Get rid of it’. It is so wrong.”

Hannah Foster, who lives near to the bridge, said she was “stunned” to discover it had been barricaded on Tuesday night.

She said: “I just couldn’t believe it. It seemed so sneaky. FE said it was being removed on Wednesday then Tuesday night they did that.

“There was a parish council meeting that night and while people were up there begging councillors to do something, the FE was down here shutting the bridge off.”

Dawn Swarbrick took up position in a camping chair on a footpath leading to one side of the bridge in an effort to thwart the contractors.

She said: “I use it daily. It’s completely safe and there is no need to take it down.

“The alternative route the FE have suggested to get to the Forest is unsafe in every way.”

Ken Crompton had been at the parish council meeting when he heard the barricades had gone up. He said: “I got a phone call and tried to tell the councillors but was told off because I had asked my question earlier.

“Apparently it is protocol not to be allowed to speak again. The council weren’t very helpful at all. They didn’t really answer our questions and not one councillor has turned up here this morning.”

Villagers remained in place even when warned police were on their way and that a caterpillar excavator was also en route.

The heavy machinery was brought onto land in front of the bridge but when workmen realised the protesters were not going to move, they stopped and fenced it in.

One of them told villagers around 1pm that they were stopping work for the day, adding: “We can’t safely complete the job now. We have been waiting for the FE to make a decision on what we should do but we have not heard from them.

“So we have taken the decision on safety grounds not to continue today.”

Villagers are now hoping FE will consult with them and give them a chance to save the bridge.

Mr Crompton said: “We could look at crowdfunding or any number of other ways of coming up with the money to repair it. But the FE just don’t want to talk to us at all.”

Ms Foster said: “We’ve won today but how long will it be before the FE is back to complete the job?”

A spokesperson for FE said: “We appreciate that this footbridge is a much-loved feature of the local landscape. However, its design and structure no longer meet modern safety standards, and recent assessments by civil engineers show that it’s deteriorating further.

“We have carefully considered options to upgrade or replace the bridge, but unfortunately, these are not feasible due to environmental constraints – this part of the New Forest is highly protected. We are proceeding with its removal as planned and with public safety in mind.

“A nearby wooden bridge, just 200 metres away, provides a safe alternative crossing point. We’ve listened to feedback from local residents and made it easier to access this alternative bridge. We have already cleared vegetation to improve visibility and create a clear view to see along the road.”