Concerns have been raised by residents in a Leicestershire village over the six-month closure of a bridge used by hundreds of people to get to school and access shops. School Road bridge, in Kibworth, is set to close later this month to as part of work to electrify the Midland Mainline by Network Rail.

But residents have raised safety concerns about the proposed diversion route when the bridge closes, as it involves pedestrians having to crossing two busy roads. Others have said it will affect those with mobility issues and parents with buggies, who cannot use available alternative routes, such as the nearby tin bridge which has steep steps and a narrow walkway.

School Road bridge is used by many people to get to the nearby Warwick Park and both Kibworth Primary School and Kibworth Mead Academy, and some residents have said the closure will increase their walking journey times by "nearly 40 minutes".

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One angry resident said on social media: "This is disgusting that Network Rail think this is acceptable. They are basically splitting the village in half for six months and anyone with limited mobility will not be able to get from one side of the village to the other without a lengthy and unsafe diversion. There are a lot of people on the Harcourt side of Kibworth with no transport and no ability to get to the Co-Op without walking."

Another added: "This is unacceptable. So many people will be affected by this. I think it’s particularly bad for those with mobility issues. The tin bridge isn’t an option for many and church road is a long way and not got wide enough paths."

Kibworth's district councillors have also weighed in on the issue, and have called for a temporary footbridge to be installed. Councillor Simon Whelband said: "It's not like we don't want the work to be done at all, we have accepted it needs to happen. But as the bridge is going to be shut for so long, there is some mitigation needed, as the diversion route they have suggested isn't great and we believe an alternative should be provided. A few years ago, they did similar work to another bridge, and put up a temporary bridge."

Residents had the opportunity to meet with Network Rail representatives last month to discuss the plan, and the proposed diversion. More than 100 people attended the meeting. Now a group of local councillors and the area's MP, Conservative Neil O'Brien, have arranged to meet with representatives from Network Rail later this month to discuss the plans further.

A spokesperson for the rail company said the bridge would remain open until the end of June, whilst "options are being investigated". They added: "We are aware of the concerns from local residents and councillors about the suggested diversion for the bridge on School Road as part of our electrification works to provide quieter, cleaner travel. We are working hard to look at alternatives and we plan to meet with the local MP and councillors in the coming weeks to further discuss this."

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