Action Promised To Preserve Teddington Iron Footbridge

10.48.41am GMT Thu 18th Mar 2004

After pressure from the Teddington Society, Ham residents and MP Vincent Cable, a programme has been set in train to restore the condition of the Teddington Iron Bridge, which was built between 1887 and 1889 and is rusting away in some areas simply because of lack of paint.

The issue became front page news in the Teddington and Hampton Times in July 2002 and the council was pressured into supplying paint for a voluntary clean up. Interest by the council was however not sustained and conditions have deteriorated especially on the suspension bridge and cables. Richmond Council has now told Vincent Cable that it will embark on a programme of work to save the bridge from further deterioration.

Vincent Cable said: "the bridge is a fine piece of Victorian engineering and an immensely valuable local amenity. It is ludicrous that it is rotting away because of lack of paint. The council has how promised action and it must deliver".