MP: I’m totally against £1.3m bridge project, Teesdale Mercury

TEESDALE’S MP says council chiefs have got it all wrong with the proposal to build a £1.3million suspension bridge in Barnard Castle.

MP Helen Goodman says the Durham County Council-backed project would damage the countryside. She also says the £300,000 spent by the council on design and planning should have been spent on avoiding cutbacks in services. 

The  265m footbridge over the River Tees would be the longest in Europe. Durham County Council says thousands of visitors flocking to the attraction could boost the local economy by £1.5m a year. But speaking to the Teesdale Mercury, Ms Goodman said that the tourism strategy behind the project was mistaken.

Ms Goodman, who lives in Barnard Castle, said: “I am totally opposed to the rope bridge – the council gives the impression that most people are for it, but this is not true.”

Ms Goodman has become the most high-profile opponent to the scheme and in doing so has dealt a bitter blow to the project’s supporters, who have been trying to galvanise public backing.

Although her comments have been rejected by officials, they have given hope to protestors that the scheme can be stopped.

Ms Goodman said: “The location would mean a lot of people would tramp through ancient woodland, which is the richest habitat for biodiversity, and put it at risk.

“The right tourism strategy is not to maximize the number of visitors to Barnard Castle.

“The right tourism strategy is to have some increase in visitor numbers, but to ensure that when people come, we get them to spend more time here.”

The MP used Hamsterley Forest as an example. About 200,000 people visit the forest every year, but only spend an average of 50p each, she said. Ms Goodman said this was because of the poor amenities at the forest, which only has a small visitor centre and cafe.

“It’s no good for the bridge to attract 100,000 people a week who take a packed lunch, then go,” she said.

Durham County Council, which has to save £145million over five years, has had to slash services. Ms Goodman said a better use should have been found for the £300,000 being invested in the bridge scheme.

“I often get people with learning disabilities coming to me complaining about closing day care,” the MP said.

As well as planning costs, Durham County Council has also funded a feasibility study for the bridge proposal.

If the scheme gets approval, Teesdale Marketing hopes to raise the construction costs via grants and private sector investment.

The bridge, which would be several miles from the town centre, focuses on a woodland walk.

Sarah Robson, Durham County Council’s head of economic development, said: “The bridge project is only one example of a range of things we are seeking to support in the area in order to promote tourism.

“It is vital that the county council continues to invest in capital infrastructure projects such as this one in Barnard Castle where we would hope to attract private sector financial support.

“Schemes such as these create jobs and inward investment which are essential during times of economic slowdown.”