CREDIT crunch pennypinching has put the stoppers on a bridge across the M4.

Construction work began on a new footbridge between Junctions 15 and 16 of the motorway near Swindon.

It was planned to link public footpaths in the Front Garden and land between Wootton Bassett and Wroughton.

And the bridge across the road was put in late last year.

But when the economy hit the buffers earlier this year, work on the project halted.

So now although the bridge crosses the motorway, no-one can go across.

That’s because the northern end does not have any steps and the southern end is blocked off.

And that is starting to annoy walkers who for more than a year have been forced on a diversion of nearly a mile.

“The Ramblers’ Association is very concerned about the continued closure of this public right of way and is pressing for it to be re-opened as soon as possible,” said Peter Gallagher of the North Wiltshire Ramblers’ Association.

“You need to be proficient at rope climbing or abseiling in order to use it.

“This silly sitation has so far prevailed for over a year and we are told is likely to continue for at least another year.

“We would like to find out how much inconvenience this is causing.”

Swindon Council confirmed that work on the bridge was delayed in February.

It is planned to restart in February next year.

“A temporary solution to this issue would be to put in some temporary steps so people could access this bridge,” said a council spokesman.

“But that would cost about £100,000. The decision was taken that it wasn’t sensible to commit to something costing £100,000 which would be removed six months later.”

Because of that the council has applied to Government Office for the South west to extend the footpath closure order until work on the bridge is completed some time next year.

“All this is down to the economic downturn,” said the spokesman.

Anyone with any feedback for the ramblers group is asked to email peg.456@virgin.net.