Air rifle vandals shatter glass panels on Telford's landmark footbridge
A gun has been used to shatter glass panels on Telford's £10 million footbridge – three times in the space of three months.
Police believe a pellet gun or an air rifle has been used to shoot the panels and have suggested that it was fired from close range on Silkin Way.
A senior councillor has said each of the panels have been found with "a bullet hole in it".
The damaged panels on the bridge, which are over the section of railway, will have to be replaced at night when trains are not running.
A previous panel replacement required an overnight closure of the A442 Eastern Primary for the repair.
The bridge connects Telford Central railway station with Telford town centre and was lifted into place last year, spanning two dual carriageways and the main Shrewsbury to Wolverhampton railway line.
Angie Astley, the council’s assistant director for customer and neighbourhood services has condemned those responsible and said she was shocked that people would carry out such a dangerous act of vandalism.
“This is a calculated act of mindless vandalism," she said.
"It is nothing to do with the structure of the bridge, which meets all health and safety requirements."
She said they had taken action to identify anyone trying to shoot the panels in future. She added that the police are investigating and urged anyone with information to get in touch.
She said: “We have increased the CCTV coverage in the area and are working closely with West Mercia Police to try and identify the person committing this crime to bring it to a stop.
“However, I would like to appeal to local residents and regular users of Telford Central train station to help – someone knows who is doing this and any further information would be appreciated and reported via Crimestoppers on 0800 555111 or by calling 101.”
Alternatively people can visit crimestoppers-uk.org
The futuristic bridge opened in November last year and replaced one of Telford’s most famous landmarks – the red footbridge seen by hundreds of thousands of visitors to the town every year.
It has earned engineering awards but it has not been plain sailing with issues with a blocked drain leading to flooding earlier this year.
