The Jackie Spencer Bridge is a disused railway bridge (built pre 1900s) which now serves as a public footpath and cycle path. The bridge is located at the Eastern end of the Little Anglesey Lake. On the western side of the structure is a weir which allows a limited exchange of tidal water in and out of Stoke Lake, this weir is estimated to be around 35-40 years old. The construction and makeup of the foundations of both the railway bridge and the weir are also unknown.
Following public input from exhibition events, an alternative design option, which aimed to utilise and upgrade the weir structure, was explored by Coastal Partners and the design consultant. This option was rejected within the outline design stage for key environmental reasons.
The design and methodology required for construction of this option would encroach on the habitats in Little Anglesey Lake, causing excessive adverse environmental impacts. Under Habitat regulations, the Jackie Spencer Bridge option would also have failed the ‘no satisfactory alternative’ test because the leading option, along the footpath and existing wall, offered a far less environmentally harmful alternative. More information about the environmental and ecological significance of the area can be found here.
The Jackie Spencer Bridge option presented the greatest negative impact to biodiversity of all the options considered during the outline design stage. It was also the design deemed least compliant with Habitat Regulations. A scheme at Jackie Spencer Bridge would likely not be granted the relevant and required licenses and consents, meaning it could not be legally constructed, and was therefore recommended not to be taken forward. The leading option remained the most environmentally sustainable and viable design option for the scheme.