Festival bosses urge council to build new bridge

The organisers behind three festivals in Derbyshire are calling on the council to invest in a new bridge to access the site.

The 200-year-old Grade II listed Chetwynd Bridge, near Alrewas in Staffordshire, is currently used as the primary access route to Catton Park, Walton-on-Trent, and its surrounding villages.

In October, Staffordshire County Council said the bridge could close amid fears of structural damage caused by the crossing of heavy vehicles.

Bosses behind Bloodstock, Bearded Theory and Derbyshire Sausage and Cider Festival, which are held at Catton Park, are now jointly urging the council to prioritise funding for a new bridge.

There is currently a 7.5 tonne weight limit and a 2.3 metre (7ft 6in) width limit on the bridge, but the council says the restrictions are being ignored by some drivers.

Organisers behind Bloodstock Festival and Bearded Theory said they have extended their arrivals over two days, spreading out traffic to reduce congestion.

Rachael Greenfield, director of Bloodstock Festival, said: "We've come up with alternative routes for the build and break to ensure our vehicles do not use that bridge, but it's still a massive route that they have to take, and it's still an additional cost to us."

She said building a new bridge "has to happen."

"If it doesn't, the fallout will be that the bridge closes, all traffic that works locally will have an 18-mile alternative route, which is crazy.

"It also means our event traffic will be coming through the country roads, it's dangerous, you can't have that volume of traffic going through roads that are very narrow, it's the perfect storm."

Ollie Neilson, landowner of Catton Estate, said: "The success of the events at Catton, which bring in a significant amount of money to the local economy, are in a large part, due to the easy access to Catton Park from the A38, which does not disrupt any local villages.

"If the Chetwynd Bridge were to close, traffic would be diverted through rural communities in Staffordshire and Derbyshire, causing significant disruption to residents and event attendees alike. The potential economic and community impact of inaction is staggering."

Mark Deaville, cabinet member for strategic highways, said: "We understand these restrictions are frustrating to local businesses and event organisers, but there is no other option, and we will not compromise on people's safety.

"We know the majority of businesses are supporting us by ensuring vehicles associated with their operations are complying with the restrictions – meaning the bridge can remain open for local communities.

"The long-term plan is to construct a new bypass road bridge, and we are continuing to make our case for funding to central government to enable this to happen."

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