TWO different styles of bridges are in the running to replace the old Riversdale Bridge – with one causing concern among homeowners.

The once popular bridge across the River Weaver was closed in 2004 after British Waterways deemed it unsafe, but it secured vital funding after being part of a winning National Lottery project in late 2007.

As part of the Sustrans:Connect2 project the bridge will receive a slice of the £50million secured in the television vote.

The area has undergone an impact study and as a result, plans for the bridge now include the option of building a fixed bridge, along with the original idea of the swing bridge.

The swing bridge will cost £25,000 more to maintain per year than the fixed option.

Ian Callister, spoke-sman for Cheshire County Council, said the matter will be discussed at the executive meeting of the shadow Cheshire West and Chester Council on March 24.

“The engineers were concerned at the amount of revenue costs so a report will be produced to go before the executive,” he said.

“They have done an impact study, which is computer generated, for both the swing bridge and fixed option and the results of that will be shown at a stakeholders meeting in mid March before the executive meeting.

“Residents and stakeholders will be able to have their say at this meeting.”

A resident of the Crescent, who did not wish to be named, said homeowners opposed the fixed bridge as it would intrude into their properties but they were not against a bridge being built.

“We don’t want to be seen as being against the bridge because we are not – we are for it,” she said.

“We want it there as quickly as possible but we don’t want the one that is going to obstruct our gardens and result in people looking into our bedroom windows.

“It is a highly emotive subject because everyone wants a bridge, but it needs to be the right one.”