A SUGGESTION to install chicanes on a bridge in Highbridge have been approved by council chiefs. Burnham and Highbridge town councillor Danny Titcombe wrote to Somerset County Council, the Highways Agency responsible for the closure of the railway bridge

A SUGGESTION to install chicanes on a bridge in Highbridge have been approved by council chiefs.Burnham and Highbridge town councillor Danny Titcombe wrote to Somerset County Council, the Highways Agency responsible for the closure of the railway bridge in Walrow Road, suggesting that chicanes were put in to stop heavy lorries using it. The bridge was closed by the county council in March as many heavy goods vehicle (HGV) drivers were reportedly ignoring the weight restrictions and driving over the bridge, weakening it in the process. Cllr Titcombe said: "As a lorry driver I was able to suggest a common sense solution to the problems on Walrow Bridge."Many HGV drivers rely on satellite navigation systems for directions and Walrow Bridge is a recommended route. The original 7.5-tonne weight limit was often ignored so simple warning signs about a three tonne limit would have been hopeless. My chicane proposal allows cars, motorbikes, cycles and pedestrians to continue using the bridge, but creates a barrier which should stop any vehicle over three tonnes from trying to come through."Network Rail originally said the works on the bridge would not be finished until 2010/2011, but it now says they could be completed by March. Prospective parliamentary candidate for Wells, Tessa Munt, said: "This solution depends entirely on Network Rail keeping its word and strengthening the bridge by March. If those works don't happen, the county council will have to re-assess the situation and the bridge may have to be closed again, which would be disastrous for the area. Let's hope Network Rail keeps its promise.