THE foundations are being laid for a new pedestrian and cycling bridge across the Basingstoke Canal in Chobham Road, Woking.

The bridge will be built alongside the existing road bridge. It will make it easier for people to follow the canal towpath, as they will no longer have to cross the busy highway.

To enable construction work to take place, the waterway was drained between Skew Bridge at Lockfield Drive and Monument Road Bridge. Temporary dams and pumps are keeping back the water while diggers and other machinery are operated on the canal bed.

A section of the towpath between WWF’s Living Planet Centre in Brewery Road and Brook House Common will be closed to users until the new bridge opens in the summer.

“Constructing a new pedestrian and cycle footbridge linking either side of the canal will create an uninterrupted towpath that will not only improve connectivity, but also encourage more people to use the towpath,” said Woking Borough Council’s Portfolio Holder for Asset Management, Cllr Ayesha Azad.

While the work takes place, walkers and cyclists can follow a signposted diversion between the WWF building and Brook House Common.

For the full story get the 30 January edition of the News & Mail