18/05/2005 - Cookham residents
may notice some unusual activity at the Lulle
Brook in weeks to come with the existing
1930s bridge being replaced with a new, improved
bridge to link Cookham village with Cookham
lock.
The Lulle Brook Bridge provides dog walkers,
picnickers and anyone wanting to enjoy the
greenery of Odney Common with access to the
land. However, the existing bridge has a very
low weight restriction, with vehicles over
six tonnes - such as a conventional fire engine
or a refuse lorry - unable to pass over the
bridge. This restriction has caused a number
of problems in the past, with emergency and
maintenance vehicles unable to access Odney
Common and Cookham Lock.
The Environment Agency is now working with
John Lewis plc, the Royal Borough of Windsor
and Maidenhead, and Cookham Parish Council
to replace the existing bridge, with all parties
funding the scheme. In addition to providing
essential access, the new bridge, to be installed
in June 2005, will also be more in keeping
with the natural beauty of the location, incorporating
attractive guard-railing along the bridge.
To allow the work to be carried out, the
bridge will be closed for three weeks, from
31 May to 20 June. During this period there
will be two separate closures of Odney Lane,
each for 24 hours, to enable a mobile crane
to remove the existing bridge and replace
it with the new, improved one.
In order to reduce the impact of this work
on local residents a temporary diversion footpath
will be provided for those wishing to access
Cookham Lock and Odney Common.
Environment Agency project manager Graham
Piper said: There have been a number of factors
to consider with regard to this bridge access
is restricted, a short closure period for
the bridge was important, and there is a need
to formalise an agreement with interested
parties.
It has taken many years and everyone has
worked hard to resolve the issues. We are
looking forward to the final result which
will fit in nicely in this picturesque area,
securing our access to the lock and weir complex.
