Footbridge opened

Chris Purdie and Lynda Gutierrez cut the ribbon to open the bridge and dedicated it to the memories of all those who had died at the accident blackspot by Boundstone Community College over the last 30 years.

Mrs Gutierrez lost her daughter, Lyn, after an accident in December, 1993.

She said: "I have heard this bridge described as a monstrosity. The only monstrosity is the number of people who died before it was built. Please use this bridge and do not abuse it."

Mrs Purdie said her son, Scott, was 13 when he was killed in February, 1997. He was the 10th person to die on this particular part of the A27 in a period of 11 years.

She said she hoped the bridge would be a monument to everyone who had died there in accidents.

"I hope I can speak for all the families. We have paid the highest price. It is a price we are going to be paying for the rest of our lives."