Plans to demolish a historic Victorian footbridge in Gerrards Cross have been unanimously refused by planners at Buckinghamshire Council.

Over 200 people wrote to the council to object to the plans as it was met with widespread criticism.

The decision to refuse the plans was made at a meeting of Buckinghamshire Council’s South Buckinghamshire Area Planning Committee last week on Tuesday, September 27.

However, Cllr Paul Bass cautioned the other councillors that the decision may not be the last of the plans.

He said: "Responsibility for this is Network Rail. Could they say at some point in the near future that this bridge is unsafe and then close it off and shut it?

"And therefore they'll then start forcing the discussion and forcing the argument that way. I think we should understand the direction of travel this might go in."

No representative for Network Rail was present at the meeting, but planning documents submitted in support suggested the bridge would become "unsafe".

It was argued by Network Rail that repairing the current footbridge was "unachievable due to the extents of the defects within the bridge span".

A Network Rail spokesperson has since revealed that the bridge "doesn't meet 21st century safety standards" and that it will continue work on creating a plan that "local people are happy with".

They said: “We welcome the recommendations from Buckinghamshire County Council planners after our planning application was unsuccessful to replace the Edwardian-built footbridge over the railway in Gerrards Cross.

"At 116 years old, it’s no longer fit for purpose because it doesn’t meet 21st century safety standards.

"As it’s our legal responsibility to keep the railway crossing safe, we are continuing our work to create a design which local people are happy with while installing a structure which is fit for today and many years into the future.”

Cllr Andrew Wood, the Conservative chairman of Gerrards Cross Town Council, slammed the proposals saying the bridge as a "huge asset" to the town.

He said: "This is a plan that has enraged our town council.

"[There has been] zero engagement by Network Rail. Zero involvement in consideration of what they're affecting as an asset in the town and abysmal approach in every contact we've made with them and no contact coming back."

He continued: "This is a delicate bridge replacement. It has been handled terribly by Network Rail.

"The current bridge was erected in 1906 and we do know it would be a considerable loss to the heritage asset that contributes to the character and appearance of this area."

Anna Walpole, who represented the local bridge action group, believed the proposed replacement bridge meant it would "feel like an enclosed alleyway to half of the female population."

She said: "We could debate whether this is a safe design or not but I think what's clear is that it could be safer and examples exist of such designs."

She was accompanied by David Cormie, who added: "The residents of Gerrards Cross would simply like Network Rail to properly engage on what is right for the town.

"We don't dispute that the bridge is in a very poor condition. There was a time when the bridge was regularly maintained and painted."