There is no quick fix that can reopen a closed footbridge on a popular Sandhurst walking route, a council official has said.

The announcement came after lots of residents contacted Bracknell Forest Council to ask when the bridge over the Blackwater River would reopen.

The bridge crosses the river from Sandhurst into Hampshire, close to the Meadows Centre on Marshall Road. It is part of the Blackwater Valley Path, a popular walking route spanning Bracknell Forest, Hampshire, Surrey, Wokingham.

The bridge was closed in April this year after inspectors decided it was unsuitable to pass over, effectively splitting the walking route in two.

Rose Wickes from Bracknell Forest Council’s Parks and Countryside Office said lots of people had already contacted the council for updates on the bridge.

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And Rights of Way Officer Rob Solomon said work to replace the bridge is 'slowly progressing', but 'there is no short-term solution'.

He said: “As you can imagine, procuring the funding and the replacement of such a bridge is not a particularly easy thing to do, especially considering its location.

“Several contractors have been out to have a look. The next step will be to try and procure the funding to replace the bridge.” He added that once funding was secured, the council would then have to book a contractor, and likely need to complete paperwork with the Environment Agency.

Rose Wickes said signs with QR codes would be posted along the path to keep walkers informed.

The update was given at a meeting of the council’s Local Countryside Access Forum on Tuesday, June 6.