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Shoreham Tollbridge saved

Great news! Important local cycling route saved. Major work to repair Shoreham Tollbridge and ensure its future will begin this October. 

The bridge, owned by West Sussex County Council, is a listed timber structure and a designated public bridleway.

Work includes replacing the main crossbeams carrying the decking and replacing the handrails.

The cost of the work will be £533,000. Part of the funding has been
secured from the Heritage Lottery Fund (£172,000) and West Sussex
County Council (£56,000). The Old Shoreham Tollbridge Community Trust’s
application to Viridor Credits has been successful in obtaining a grant
of £50,000 and has also raised to date £40,000. The County Council has
underwritten the remaining £175,000 to enable the work to start and
which the Trust has to repay within four years.

Work
is expected to last for 40 weeks. It has been agreed the bridge will be
kept open for as much as possible during this time, but it may be
necessary to close it for short periods.

West Sussex Cabinet Member for Environment and Economy Louise Goldsmith
said: “A lot of people have put in a lot of hard work for this scheme
to go ahead. Shoreham Tollbridge is a vital link for the town and has a
lot of history surrounding it. I am delighted work can now commence to
ensure its future.”

Chairman
of the Old Shoreham Tollbridge Community Trust Liza McKinney said: “The
Trust is delighted that the start of the work has finally been agreed.
Built in 1781 and until 1968 actually the A27, its importance today in
respect of providing an alternative for getting to work on Shoreham
Airport and the industrial complex at its west end has never been
greater, not forgetting its constant use by walkers, cyclists and horse
riders. The Community Trust will be continuing to fundraise for as long
as is necessary to restore the bridge and continue the educational work
associated with it.”

Anyone
who would like to make a donation towards the Tollbridge restoration
fund should contact the Community Trust; Liza McKinney on email elizabeth.mckinney@ntlworld.com or Vera Tickler on vbviscontours@ntlworld.com


Bricycles has made a contribution to the restoration fund.

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