DEDICATED volunteers built and installed a bridge over a major Halesowen footpath which has suffered access problems due to flooding in the past.

Halesowen Abbey Trust carried out one of its single biggest projects when it put together the bridge at Tack Farm to help people who use ‘Footpath H183’.

The charity, founded in 1986, has been carrying out improvements to public rights of way in the Halesowen and Clent countryside for more than 30 years.

For this job, the team of volunteers led by Roy Burgess constructed the bridge – which has an eight metre span and weighs over one tonne – at the Trust’s Leasowes Walled Garden.

It was then stripped down to kit form and transported to the site where it was assembled and installed. The Trust was supported by Dudley Council to raise the £1,600 needed for materials.

Mick Freer, project co-ordinator, said: “Footpath H183 is important and accessible from Uffmoor Lane, the Halesowen bypass and Romsley.

“It has been difficult and sometimes impossible to access for many years, due to a flooding problem on a stream running from Uffmoor Wood.

“The cost of materials was £1,600 with all labour for construction, transportation and installation being provided by volunteers.

“I have little doubt that the job would have otherwise exceeded £15,000 and would not have been done.”

The Trust has been involved in countless projects including carrying out miles of footpath improvements and planting 10,000 trees.

They also replaced Coombs Bridge over Dudley No.2 Canal – the original was demolished during the Second World War.

Leasowes Walled Garden was purchased in 2014 and the Trust is restoring it for the benefit of the public.

Mr Freer added they were also investigating the possibility of restoring a section of Lapel Canal, adjacent to the Leasowes.