'We were snubbed at Preston tram bridge opening - even though we helped make it happen'

The group that campaigned for Preston’s ‘Old Tram Bridge’ to be replaced claims it was “cut out” of the most important parts of the ceremony to celebrate the opening of the new structure.

The Friends of Tram Bridge fought for the future of the historic crossing after its last incarnation was closed amid safety concerns seven years ago.

However, the organisation believes its role was not properly recognised during last Friday’s event – which was witnessed by more than 4,000 people – with no place being reserved for its representatives at the forefront of the riverside ribbon-cutting.

The Local Democracy Reporting Service (LDRS) can reveal that the group has made an official complaint to Preston City Council, which staged the ceremony, about what it has described as a “snub”.

The authority has defended the arrangements, stressing that the Friends were acknowledged at other points during the proceedings – and that they will also feature in a commemorative display to be installed at the site.

At the time of the bridge’s sudden closure in February 2019 – following an inspection that revealed it was at risk of collapse – the prospects for its repair or replacement appeared bleak.

Neither the city council nor Lancashire County Council, the local highways authority, made any secret of the fact that funding for what turned out to be an £8.2m project was not immediately available.

The Friends group launched a campaign to keep the condemned bridge – which connects Avenham Park and Penwortham – on the political agenda, including by arranging for it to be lit up in a multi-coloured display in September 2021.

That was designed to promote a petition which eventually gathered 3,000 signatures and was used to lobby the city council to include the bridge as one of the suggested schemes in its bid for a £20m share of the then Conservative government’s Levelling Up Fund in 2022.

The Labour-run authority had been considering a raft of potential proposals, including a new health facility, but did ultimately opt to put the Old Tram Bridge forward as a key part of its successful pitch to ministers.  Meanwhile, the county council – under its then Tory administration – agreed to add £1m to the pot for the cross-Ribble connection.

Reflecting on that backdrop, Glenn Cookson, chair of the Friends of Tram Bridge, said he and others were left dismayed on the opening day, which marked the climax of all they had ever hoped to achieve.

He told the LDRS:  “We’re not naive.  We understand the amount of work, time and resource that went into delivering a new bridge from a city council perspective – and that’s fantastic.

“But it’s questionable whether the project would ever have happened without the constant campaigning and pressure that the Friends of Tram Bridge [applied] to both Preston City Council and Lancashire County Council.

“At the very least, we would have hoped in the mayor’s speech that there would have been a ‘thank you’ to the Friends group.  We don’t blame the mayor for that, as we realise that the speech was written for her, with time restrictions in mind – but it would have taken the whole of two seconds to mention us.

“And I think our assumption that there would have been at least one representative from the Friends of Tram Bridge group on the ribbon-cutting line was not unreasonable.

“What was a great day and a massive cause for celebration was slightly tarnished by the fact we were cut out at the last minute.   Up until that point, we were very much led to believe that we would have some sort of recognition and involvement – so it felt like a snub.”

A spokesperson for Preston City Council said the authority was preparing “a formal response” to the complaint it has received from the Friends group, but added that it was “disappointed by the claims” made within it.

“The city council has been proactive in working with the Friends of Tram Bridge and we have ensured that the group has been kept informed at key stages throughout the project, including receiving invitations to media events during its delivery. The group is particularly recognised for their campaigning when the bridge was first closed.

“The bridge opening was a significant occasion for the city – and tribute was paid to all those who played a role in rebuilding the Tram Bridge. At a private event held at the [park] café ahead of the official opening, to which Glenn was invited, the Friends of Tram Bridge were specifically thanked.

“The group also took part in the opening procession and were among the first to officially cross the bridge, alongside the Mayor of Preston and other dignitaries.

“Looking ahead, Friends of Tram Bridge will also be recognised on the interpretation board to be installed on the south side of the river as a permanent feature,” the town hall spokesperson said.