HOMES England says there are no plans to demolish a historic Runcorn bridge to make way for new housing infrastructure.

An online campaign had been set up to save Borrows Bridge in Norton amid fears it could be bulldozed to make way for a newer Bridgewater Canal crossing.

The bridge – which provides a crossing to both sides of Red Brow Lane over the canal – has stood since 1766 but does not have listed status, with campaigners recently lodging an application to ensure it is protected.

The proposals are part of the Sandymoor and Wharford masterplan developed by government agency Homes England which owns the land. The scheme includes Sandymoor South, a 16 hectares greenfield site capable of accommodating up to 250 homes, and Wharford Farm, a 26 hectare greenfield site with space for up to 600 properties.

Part of the plans include new vehicle access at Norton Bridge on to Windmill Hill East Avenue, Walsingham Drive.

But Homes England told the World there are no plans to flatten Borrows Bridge, with the intention instead to leave it intact for pedestrians and cyclists, with a new structure being built to accommodate vehicles.

They said: “To provide vehicular and bus access to Homes England's site at Wharford Farm, it is necessary to construct a new road bridge over the Bridgewater Canal.

“Our current proposal is that the new bridge is built directly to the south of existing Borrows Bridge, accessed off the Norton Station Road/Falstone Drive roundabout.

“It is intended that Borrows Bridge will remain in situ, providing walking and cycling access to the site.”