Council boss says new Walton Bridge will ease traffic

The top civil servant at Surrey County Council has said the new Walton Bridge will ease traffic in the area.

David McNulty, Chief Executive at County Hall has provided a six monthly update on progress and has highlighted getting government funding for the crossing at Walton on Thames."

"Preliminary work has begun on the site for the new Walton Bridge, scheduled for completion in 2013," the council boss explained. "Discussions about a new permanent bridge at Walton date back to the 1980s so it is very pleasing to have finally secured full funding approval from the government and started work.

"The bridge is one of only five crossings of the River Thames available to local traffic within Surrey and is strategically important. The current temporary bridge carries daily approximately 30,000 to 31,000 vehicles, 200 pedestrians, and between 200 and 400 cyclists.

"The new bridge will tackle traffic congestion and also open up the riverside, improve river navigation, help protect the environment, and improve road safety."