A footbridge connecting Stevenage town centre with the old town will be shut for two weeks from today (Monday), after damage was found to be more extensive than first thought.

The bridge over Fairlands Way has undergone maintenance work in recent weeks with pedestrian access maintained. But Herts County Council closed it completely from midday for more extensive repairs to the surface.

Stuart Pile, cabinet member for highways at County Hall, said: “We appreciate this will cause a bit of inconvenience for pedestrians but a closure is necessary so our work can be completed as quickly and safely as possible. Pedestrians are asked to follow the diversion and only cross the road at designated crossings.”

Traffic on Fairlands Way is unaffected.