A MUCH missed Northwich transport link could be rebuilt in 2010.

Riversdale Bridge, which provided a well-used path over the River Weaver until it was closed in 2001, is part of the national Sustrans:Connect2 project which won a slice of £50million lottery money in December last year.

Work is going on to find match funding for the £1.2million Northwich project, which includes redesigning and reopening the bridge as well as making the most of towpaths and connecting routes.

Northwich’s deputy mayor Clr Helen Burder, a strong supporter of the project, said: “This is still on the agenda, what we’re waiting for is match funding.”

The project has secured more than £850,000, including £600,000 from Sustrans, and bids are in the pipeline for £385,000 from other sources.

Designs for the new bridge will be completed in April next year.

British Waterways is also working on a project to improve the towpath along the Weaver Navigation from Monarch Drive, in Kingsmead, to Riversdale Bridge.

Clr Burder said: “Basically if you try to walk down there on a wet day at the moment you are likely to slip into the river.”

This project, which includes reconstructing the path, widening it and using a tarmac surface for year round use, is part of the wider Weaver Valley Regional Park and Sustrans initiative.

British Waterways has asked Northwich Town Council for a contribution of up to £5,500 towards the project, which will also tie in with improvements from Hartford Bridge to Monarch Drive that are starting in October.

Clr Burder said: “This is over and above the work on the bridge.”

The town council voted not to take any action on British Waterways’ grant application at its meeting on Monday.