Campaigners are calling on a council to not waste £20,000 of taxpayers’ money on an "unnecessary" bridge.

But Wheathampstead Parish Council has contested the amount and says there is public demand to make the Meads, a grassland and community orchard next to the River Lea, more accessible.

The council wants to build a second bridge on the Meads as part of a community project to celebrate the Queen’s 90th birthday and help people with walking difficulties cross the river.

But protestors believe there is “no need” for it to be built, as it is only 170m from the original bridge and will have a “significant impact” on an area that is cherished by picnickers, birdwatchers and walkers.

They say the bridge, which may be put up in autumn, will cost £20,000 and people in the community have not been consulted.

Villager Frances Knox set up petition, which now has more than 200 supporters, as she believes the existing bridge already provides access for people with mobility problems.

Ms Knox, who walks on the Meads every day with her dog, said: “I feel strongly that this bridge is an unnecessary waste of money, spoiling a beautiful part of the river and will not be of benefit to the community at large.

“Without a path on the south side of the river to connect the two bridges the proposal fails to meet the parish council’s aim of a 'circular walk' for elderly and less able residents.

“There are plenty of wonderful walks in the village and on the Meads, which are already accessible to all.”

Ms Knox added the plans may change the land from being a “tranquil spot” into a busier park.

She said: “This project would irrevocably change the nature of the Meads and start its transformation into a municipal park rather than the untouched, tranquil spot currently enjoyed by families, walkers and wildlife enthusiasts the year round.

“In my opinion, for something costing this amount of money, we should have been properly consulted.”

The plans for the bridge have been submitted to the St Albans Planning Council with a deadline of tomorrow (May 18) for people to respond.

Parish council spokesman Julia Warren said: “A village-wide consultation for the Village Plan in 2009 requested better access to the Meads and a second bridge now forms part of the council’s business plan.

“We have been asked to consider the less mobile and create a circular walk of modest length. There are no plans to include a path on the south side of the Meads, where the grass is kept cut short.

“The Meads is maintained by the parish council and is very popular with residents of all ages either for walking, enjoying the River Lea that runs through it or generally playing in the open space.

“The parish council seeks a balance between public access, encouraging wildlife and biodiversity and visual amenity and work closely with the Herts and Middlesex Wildlife Trust and the Environment Agency.

“The cost of the bridge is £10,074 including delivery plus the costs of materials to install the bridge. There will be no labour costs as this is designed to be a community project to commemorate the Queen's 90th birthday.”

To sign the petition, visit: https://www.change.org/p/wheathampstead-parish-council-stop-the-parish-council-wasting-our-money-on-a-second-bridge-at-the-meads