WEST Somerset Railway volunteer David Simpson-Scott has presented a 1,233-signature petition to supporters at Watchet Town Council calling for the town's railway bridge to be re-opened urgently.

The much-used crossing over the heritage railway in Watchet was closed by owner West Somerset Council last October following fears over its safety.

But after asking for tenders to repair it, the authority received just one bid for the work and found it could not afford it, prompting fears the bridge could be demolished.

Mr Simpson-Scott, who is a member of the Friends of Watchet Station, said the situation seemed to be dragging on and he was concerned the issue appeared to have been forgotten about.

"I couldn't work out why there wasn't an uproar about it and wondered what was going on," he said.

"So I thought I'd find out what other people thought and put together a petition."

The petition calls for the footbridge to be repaired and re-opened at the earliest opportunity and was put in 24 shops, offices and organisations across the town around a month ago.

Mr Simpson-Scott said: "I was very surprised by the enthusiasm shown by local shops and public houses for the petition and would like to thank all of the business owners who helped.

"The petition was available for just over a month and during that time collected 1,233 signatures. This represents some 40 per cent of Watchet's voters.

"I was pleasantly surprised to have received such a level of support and believe that the outcome shows very strong support for the earliest possible repair of the bridge."

Last month, Watchet district councillor Tony Knight reassured town councillors there were no plans to demolish the footbridge at the moment.

He said quotes for a replacement bridge had been sought but the district council was waiting for a further tender for the cost of repairs before deciding on the bridge's future.

As well as giving a copy of the petition to Watchet Town Council, Mr Simpson-Scott is also planning to present copies to West Somerset Council, MP Ian Liddell-Grainger and the West Somerset Railway.

He said the closure of the bridge had presented its own safety problems as many people were now crossing the tracks at Watchet Station rather than using the diversion through Goviers Lane.

He said it was vital all the relevant authorities worked together to resolve the situation.

Mr Simpson-Scott is pictured (left) presenting the petition to Watchet Town Council chairman Cllr Paul Chamberlain and fellow town councillor Peter Murphy.

Cllr Chamberlain said the authority fully supported Mr Simpson-Scott's attempt to get the footbridge re-opened at the earliest opportunity.

He said: "We have contacted many external agencies including Somerset County Council, West Somerset Council, county councillor Anthony Trollope-Bellew and MP Ian Liddell-Grainger asking for their assistance and support in retaining this vital asset and link to both sides of the West Somerset Railway in Watchet."

And Cllr Murphy, who is chairman of the council's environment and planning committee, added: "The council feels strongly about retaining the footbridge and emphasises that removal of the bridge is simply not a viable option.

"The council fully backs the community in their efforts to save the bridge and urges West Somerset Council to act promptly in securing the renovation and refurbishment of this essential pedestrian thoroughfare."

l At Wednesday's meeting of West Somerset Council's cabinet, the authority's executive director Adrian Dyer said re-opening the footbridge was a "top priority" for the district council.

He said a range of options were still being investigated, including the possibility of building a completely new bridge.

But he conceded no additional money had yet been allocated to the project.

"We are actively seeking contributions to the costs from other interested parties, including the county council and the West Somerset Railway.

"It is a priority but it is not included in the budget because we simply don't know how much money to put in yet," Mr Dyer said.

Photo: Steve Guscott.