03/06/11….New bridge a hit with local walkers (contributed)

RAMBLERS using a popular bridleway route have given the ‘thumbs up’ to a new bridge installed by Oxfordshire County Council?s Countryside Service.

The bridge, used regularly by walkers, cyclists and horse riders, is on a route near Thame, linking Sydenham village to Aston Rowant, Kingston Blount and Chinnor. The bridleway is locally known as Sewell?s Lane.

Construction work involved replacement of the old bridge ramps using cost effective plastic ?railway sleepers? as bearers to help prolong its life. Drainage in the surrounding area has also been improved to tackle flooding issues which had been causing access problems at certain times of year.

Costs for the project, including materials and machinery came in at under