Spalding resident fears someone will drown at vandalised footbridge

The wooden bridge has three horizontal rails to prevent people from accidentally plunging into the Vernatt's Drain - but vandals are ripping them away, leaving bridge users at risk.

Angelica Drive resident John Batterham says vandalism has been ongoing since the beginning of the year, and Lincolnshire County Council has been quick to repair it each time.

John said: "At the moment one section has only the middle rail in place so an adult could topple in - or even worse, a small child could walk off into the drain.

"I am the closest resident to it and I don't want to be the one who is pulling a child's body out of the water."

John is appealing to anyone responsible for damaging the bridge to stop before a life is lost.

He said: "The vandalism started this year and just lately it seems to be a regular occurrence."

John wants the county council to come up with "a more permanent, vandal proof solution" before someone dies, saying the council replaced Jobson's Bridge and should do the same with Two Plank Bridge.

MP Sir John Hayes is asking both the police and the county council to act because "there's a real danger to public safety."

A council spokesman said: "The bridge is not owned by Lincolnshire County Council, and there is no public right of way across it.

"In the past, the council has carried out minor repairs to the bridge, in the interests of public safety, but we do not have the right to remove and replace someone else's asset.

"By contrast, Jobson's Bridge does have a public right of way over it, and is the council's."

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