Spitalford Bridge Renovation Complete
In 2012, to mark the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee, HAA decided to try to transform Spitalford Bridge into the ‘green heart of the village’ Volunteers had already cleared the Herring stream, which was now running bright and clear. The project would be divided into two phases. The parapets and the inscriptions should be cleaned and then, as stage two, the crumbling side wall might be replaced and a seat and a shelter provided.
A fault was found on the southern parapet: the whole wall had shifted due to a root of a poplar tree running alongside it. As a result, the bridge was potentially dangerous and WSCC Highways became responsible for its repair. An aboriculturalist was consulted, the parapet was demolished and the tree root removed, hopefully without damaging the tree. The parapet was rebuilt using bricks which closely matched the previous brickwork. HAA provided new caps for the pilasters.
Work on the north side is now complete with a bus shelter. This will double as a view point so that the Herring stream can still be seen, and the newly-planted banks admired. The shelter and seat were mainly financed by the Parish Council but HAA is responsible for the new wall and any extras that may be needed to make this previously neglected corner attractive to the passer-by and meet the needs of the people who are queuing for a bus there.
Thanks to a substantial grant from the Community Initiative Fund and the generosity of Hassocks people, we have raised £7,490 and will add our share of the lottery proceeds this year. Our focus now shifts to rejuvenating the Herring Stream with more planting and clearing planned for the spring
In 2012, to mark the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee, HAA decided to try to transform Spitalford Bridge into the ‘green heart of the village’ Volunteers had already cleared the Herring stream, which was now running bright and clear. The project would be divided into two phases. The parapets and the inscriptions should be cleaned and then, as stage two, the crumbling side wall might be replaced and a seat and a shelter provided.
A fault was found on the southern parapet: the whole wall had shifted due to a root of a poplar tree running alongside it. As a result, the bridge was potentially dangerous and WSCC Highways became responsible for its repair. An aboriculturalist was consulted, the parapet was demolished and the tree root removed, hopefully without damaging the tree. The parapet was rebuilt using bricks which closely matched the previous brickwork. HAA provided new caps for the pilasters.
Work on the north side is now complete with a bus shelter. This will double as a view point so that the Herring stream can still be seen, and the newly-planted banks admired. The shelter and seat were mainly financed by the Parish Council but HAA is responsible for the new wall and any extras that may be needed to make this previously neglected corner attractive to the passer-by and meet the needs of the people who are queuing for a bus there.
Thanks to a substantial grant from the Community Initiative Fund and the generosity of Hassocks people, we have raised £7,490 and will add our share of the lottery proceeds this year. Our focus now shifts to rejuvenating the Herring Stream with more planting and clearing planned for the spring