RESIDENTS and a youth hostel association fear the prolonged closure of a popular footbridge in Lydbrook will turn away tourists from the area.

The former Lydbrook Railway Bridge that connects Welsh Bicknor, in Herefordshire, to the Forest of Dean has been closed since February due safety concerns, but residents fear its continued closure is having a negative impact on tourism.

Stuart Chaplin, manager of Welsh Bicknor Youth Hostel said: “It’s really frustrating. We have some 2,500 visitors a year that come to our hostel and use that bridge.

“I don’t think you could put a number on the amount of walkers who use that bridge as well.

Joy Burrows, a frequent walker who used the bridge, said many residents don’t know what’s happening to the structure and added: "With the tourism season upon us it’s a real shame that it’s still closed.

Gloucestershire County Council says its investigation into the damage is ongoing but the river is currently too high for their diver to go down and assess the bridge.

According to the Environment Agency the river level at Lydbrook was recorded at 0.74 metres at 5am on June 7.

Martyn Midgley, Area highways manager at Gloucestershire County Council, said: “Because of safety concerns the bridge will have to remain closed during the investigation which, upon completion, will determine what needs to be done.”