'UNSIGHTLY' but urgent modifications to the ironbridge over the River Tavy in Tavistock's Meadows have bought the town council breathing space, before an £80,000 replacement bridge becomes necessary.
Members at last week's meeting of the council's properties committee heard modifications, carried out on the recommendation of experts, had rendered the bridge safe for two years.
Town clerk Roger Howard said the consultants were happy for the bridge to be used, provided the loaded width was restricted to 1.5 metres, that barriers were placed at the entry, restricting wheeled vehicles crossing and instructing cyclists to dismount and that warnings were erected, advising against 'crowd loading'.
Col Howard said: 'Unfortunately it's already given the vandals something else to play with — they've broken the cycling signs three times now.'
Cllr Ted Sherrell said: 'It does look unsightly. I agree something had to be done, but it's a shame there's not a more sympathetic manner of doing it.'
Cllr Peter Jones said a copy of the consultant's report should be sent to Transco, in light of the gas pipe underneath the bridge. It was agreed the clerk should write to Transco, informing the company that the bridge would be replaced in due course and request an appropriate contribution towards its replacement.