VISITORS to the town's popular Waterside Festival who said they would like to see the temporary bridge over the Grand Union Canal made permanent look set to get their wish fulfilled.

Environmental charity The Greensand Trust has asked South Beds District Council for permission to construct an arched steel bridge linking Tiddenfoot Waterside Park with the canal towpath.

The scheme, which is due to be considered by the district council's planning committee tomorrow (Wednesday), has been welcomed by local organisations such as the Leighton-Linslade Cycling Forum and the Leighton-Linslade Greening Group and supported by British Waterways and South Beds Friends of the Earth.

But the proposed bridge is seen as a problem by the district council's tree and landscape officer, because the job means felling 15 balsam poplar trees that form part of a natural avenue enjoyed by walkers.

The officer said the removal of such a large number of trees would put the remainder at serious risk of wind damage and reduce their "safe life expectancy."

However, rare, native, black poplars will be planted as part of the general landscaping scheme that includes creating a new area of wetland habitat.

A planning officer's report recommending the scheme for approval concludes: "It is considered that the new canal crossing and the associated nature conservation enhancement constitute overriding public and ecological benefits to the extent that the proposed removal of the balsam poplar trees can be justified.

"Leighton-Linslade is characterised by three north-south landscape features that act as physical barriers to effective east-west connections – the canal, the railway and the river.

"The proposed canal crossing is a rare opportunity to bridge one of those barriers.

"It is imperative that this opportunity is taken, thus ensuring that the delivery of community infrastructure keeps pace with housing growth."