CALLS are growing for county council chiefs to cage off the bridge on the Bromsgrove Highway in Redditch following another fall which resulted in a man’s death on Sunday (July 3).
Police were called to the highway following fears for the man’s welfare but he was pronounced dead at the scene at 8.50am.
Residents have since taken to social media stressing the need for Worcestershire County Council to put up barriers to prevent future incidents.
One resident said: “How many more deaths from bridges in Redditch before they enclose them and make them safer?”
County Councillor Joe Baker (Lab, Arrow Valley East) said there has been about 42 similar incidents in the last decade and despite a petition to get the bridge closed off, the council had refused as it would cost £60,000.
Coun Baker said: “‘you can not put a price on life.
“This has been an issue for a long time. I have heard of two incidents of this nature in the time I have been a County Councillor and something needs to be done.
“Not only is there a sad loss of life but it is also very traumatic for the people who witness these incidents.
“I know of one resident whose son saw someone fall the bridge and it was very traumatising for him.”
Coun Baker will be putting forward a motion to cage the bridge again at the Full Worcestershire county Council meeting on Thursday (July 14).
