Town councils have backed plans to refurbish the walkway along an historic bridge which connects Warwick with Leamington Spa.

Part of the path along Portobello Bridge has been fenced off after weaknesses were first uncovered in 1993.

Now, Warwickshire County Council has revealed plans to repair the damage, improving the connections between the two towns along Emscote Road.

"Following a structural assessment carried out in 1993, the Northern footway extension of the bridge was assessed to be incapable of withstanding pedestrian loading and accidental wheel loading," a planning application said.

"Therefore, it was cordoned off from access to road users by using a fence, and part of the carriageway was converted into a temporary footway.

"Additionally, the southern footway extension of Portobello Bridge was also assessed to not have sufficient capacity to withstand accidental wheel loading, meaning the existing footways of the bridge would fail if any vehicles steered off the carriageway."

Plans submitted to Warwick District Council include a range of repair works as well as removing and replacing the current footway extensions, supports and infills.

The application continued: "Portobello Bridge forms an integral part of the wider Emscote Road Sustainable Transport Corridor, a scheme intended to improve connectivity between Warwick and Leamington Spa along the A445.

"The corridor is a key route within the local transport network and the proposed improvements aim to enhance facilities for pedestrians and cyclists while improving overall road safety.

"At present, Portobello Bridge represents a significant constraint within the corridor.

"The existing footways are structurally limited and do not meet modern loading requirements, and the current parapets do not comply with modern safety standards for cycle infrastructure.

"As a result, the bridge prevents the provision of continuous and safe walking and cycling facilities across the River Avon."

Leamington Spa Town Council has supported the application, with Warwick Town Council also supporting it in principle.

The latter has asked whether "a partial road closure [has] been considered instead of a full road closure to mitigate some of the impact?"

It is awaiting an answer to this.

"While the proposed works involve alterations to the historic fabric of the listed bridge, these interventions have been carefully considered and deemed necessary in order to deliver substantial public benefits," the application added.

"The improvements will support safer and more accessible travel between Warwick and Leamington Spa, enable the wider corridor scheme to function as intended, and ensure that Portobello Bridge can continue to serve as an important transport link well into the future."

The bridge dates back to 1831, but has gone through "several modifications" since then, including a major rebuild of the arches in 1892.

Tramway tracks ran over it before the road was laid in the 20th century.

Click here to see the application in full.