COUNCILLORS have welcomed plans to replace an ageing pedestrian bridge in Bovey Tracey but have concerns the scheme could harm town centre businesses.

They are also worried about people having to walk through an unlit field at night to follow a path diversion.

The existing walkway over the River Bovey in Station Road was built almost a century ago and strengthened in 2010.

Now Devon County Council Highways Engineers have called time on the structure, saying a replacement is needed.

They are proposing to do away with the current cantilevered design, held in place by anchor points under the road on the ancient stone bridge, and build a new independent footway supported by columns.

Sean Mills, from Devon County Council’s Engineering Design Group, told councillors work on the 38-week project could start next May.

He said road closures and traffic lights would be required and, in response to members’ earlier request for safer pedestrian access to the Co-op store, was considering options which may prevent vehicles turning right when leaving the shop’s car park.

Alarmed Cllr Lisa Robillard Webb said: ‘Oh my gosh, that’s going to really impact the town massively, because we’ve already got a reduced 15 per cent footfall on the high street. I’m quite horrified as we’re already really struggling.’

Cllr Eoghan Kelly described the proposed temporary footway as ‘a massive waste of time and energy’, saying there was existing pedestrian access to the Co-op and MAKE gallery through the car park off Le Molay Littry Way.

Diversionary footpaths on either side of the river will pass through a field and adjoining garden, with a temporary footbridge over the water.

Cllr Robillard Webb asked if there would be nighttime lighting.

‘That’s something I’ve still got to look at,’ said Mr Mills.

Cllr Robillard Webb replied: ‘I would be nervous of walking through a field in the dark.’

Mayor Cllr Sheila Brooke thanked Mr Mills for attending the meeting and said: ‘To their credit, they really have listened to us.’