CHIPPENHAM railway station’s footbridge, which was part of a £3 million development, will be shut for almost two weeks due to drainage issues – despite only being open for eight months.

Notices have been placed at the bridge, which was only opened in January, stating that it will be shut from September 2-12 for resurfacing work.

Campaigners had battled for years to get the bridge built with lifts and the project was funded via the Department for Transport’s Access for All scheme.

Despite assurances that the lifts will remain open during the resurfacing work, concerns have been raised should they could be closed or impeded during the works.

Chippenham councillor Mary Fallon, who was one of many to campaign in favour of a bridge and lifts, said: “They should have foreseen the drainage problems and the fault lies with the people who have designed it.

"Once again, as I have said before, we are asking our highways department to do so much with inadequate funding.

“They’re saying it’s going to be for 10 days but it could affect disabled people or people with pushchairs. I also question the time they are doing this, during the holiday period people may commute to use the station.”

Access to the station can still be gained via Cocklebury Road while the footbridge is worked on.

A spokesperson for Network Rail said: “Following the installation of the bridge we noticed that water was ponding on the structure.

“During the winter this has the potential to become dangerous if the water freezes, and for this reason we need to do the work to rectify it.

“We were unaware that this would prove to be an issue when the bridge was opened, but it became apparent during wet weather following the opening."