Farmers held a rolling convoy protest across three Solihull villages to demonstrate the impact a closure of an historic bridge could have. 

Barston villagers, councillors and farmers gathered at Barston Bridge on Wednesday morning, (February 4), as pressure increased on Solihull Metropolitan Borough Council with a consultation coming to an end. 

As the Local Democracy Reporting Service revealed last year the future of Barston Bridge, which spans the River Blythe, is now in doubt due to safety concerns.

The bridge dates back to 1859 and carries Barston Lane over the river to the east of the village with more than 1,000 vehicles travelling across it daily. 

The council's options are to replace the bridge with a structure capable of "full highway loading at 40 tonnes capacity" – which would cost £2 million – or close it to traffic, leaving it accessible only to pedestrians and cyclists.

The council launched a consultation period which ended on February 4.

But recently Meriden and Solihull East MP Saqib Bhatti intervened saying closure "is being treated as an acceptable outcome" by the council adding he had deep concerns the consultation was not genuinely open.

Jeremy Emmett, chairman of Barston Parish Council, said they had been reassured by council officers the bridge would be replaced over the years.

"Then it stalled," he said. 

"The impression we get from the council, all they ever say they don't have the money.

"We need to fight to keep it open.

"It (the consultation) is very biased to the closure of the bridge.

"We have got the Bulls Heads pub, West Midlands Golf Club, farms, the church – it doesn't make any sense (to close it)."

Farmer Phil Kirkham of Kirkham farm close to the bridge said: "I've grown up here, we have been operating since 1950.

"If (it closed) you have to detour, it adds 10 to 15 minutes. It is a significant additional cost in terms of drivers' time.

"It shouldn't be up for debate, it should just be done (repaired)."

Knowle councillor Edward Fitter added: "We are grateful for the local community, demonstrating the importance of the bridge – the impact it has on local farming, businesses and village life."

After more than 50 villagers had gathered on the bridge farmers took part in the convoy with tractors having banners on the side reading "Save Barston Bridge or see me more", "1,000 extra vehicles here daily" and "SMBC don't close our bridge".

The convoy rolled through Hampton in Arden and Knowle to demonstrate the impact a bridge closure would have on those villages.

A council spokesperson said: "No decision has been made on its future.

"The council is engaging directly with local residents, farmers and business owners and recently held a drop-in session in Barston to provide an opportunity for people to ask questions.

"A full report with results of the consultation will be taken to a future environment and infrastructure decision session where the cabinet member will decide which option to move forward with."