Residents of Whinlatter Place must be feeling cut off from the rest of the area since the connecting bridge over the burn was removed.
Local residents are far from being happy about the removal of the community bridge which was in need of repair.
Local West Ward councillors are believed to be extremely concerned over the future of the bridge and have asked for the repair or replacement of the bridge as soon as possible.
The present view of the area has been described by residents as looking decrepit and questions are being asked as to when the bridge will return.
Adjacent to the bridge lies the old Elmfield School site which has laid dormant for years and is used as a doggy toilet and refuse dump. This also adds to the air of desolation in the area.
As volunteers from Friends Of West Park we try our best to keep the area clear of rubbish but junk dumped by unscrupulous residents in the Burn is now highly visible due to the dying back of weeds along the banks of the burn.
Strangely enough some birds like to nest in the long grass on the banks of the Burn and it is a lovely walk, so come on Durham County let’s have the bridge back and the rubbish removed from the Burn.
Ken Robson