Keep canal pedestrian and cycle bridge in its original location

I object to Amendment No. 2. The canal bridge in the 2019 Scheme should not be moved. If a bridge at Lock 11 is considered useful, it should be provided in addition to the original bridge, not as a replacement.

The bridge in the 2019 Scheme gives residents in the middle of the estate a direct route across the canal, linking South Link Street, the Grand Canal Greenway, Canal Bank, Lockhouse Way and the urban centre. Residents around the middle of Canal Bank would use it to reach the bus route south of Parkleigh. Removing it from this location makes public transport harder to reach and will reduce its use.

Moving the bridge to Lock 11 lengthens this route and diverts pedestrians and cyclists through residential streets. This discourages walking, cycling and public transport use, which is contrary to the Scheme's own active travel and modal shift objectives. It is also inconsistent to reduce car access (Amendment No. 3) while making active travel routes less direct.

A narrow towpath-to-towpath bridge at a lock will not cope with cyclists, buggies and wheelchairs at busy times. The canal corridor is a key route for cyclists, and cycling will be one of the main uses of this crossing.

I request that:

1. The bridge is retained at its original location and at full scale.
2. The Scheme explicitly designates it as a pedestrian and cycle bridge, with a dedicated cycle path and step-free access suitable for wheelchairs and buggies.
3. Any bridge at Lock 11 is treated as an additional crossing, not a replacement.