Updated plans for a footbridge to replace Alma Bridge – keeping it accessible to parents with prams and people with mobility difficulties – will be presented to town councillors on Monday (November 6).

Devon County Council (DCC) previously put forward proposals for a structure over the River

Sid which included short flights of steps at either end of the bridge.

It is now proposing short sections of steep ramps instead of the combination of steps and ramps that

had previously been agreed, and supported by Sidmouth Town Council. The steepest ramped sections would be

at a gradient which matches that of Hanger Path on the east of the River Sid.

Councillor Stuart Hughes, Devon’s bridges chief, said: “Making the bridge available to all users is good news for everyone. With the previous design, we had been looking at improvements that could be made to the alternative route, for those who couldn’t access the proposed new footbridge.

“At the same time, we’ve been continuing to see how we could adapt the access

to the planned structure. We hope these modifications are also supported by the town council to make it a bridge for all.”

The footprint of the scheme, which would be around 40 metres upstream of the existing bridge, remains the same and does not take up any more land or impact on the Ham.