A VICTORIAN railway bridge long blocked by rubble has been cleared by footpath campaigners.

The Watercress Way have successfully cleared part of a major eyesore in Sutton Scotney in preparation for opening up a new path along the old Didcot Newbury and Southampton railway.

The charity wants to create a path along the old railway which closed in the 1960s.

The recent works were a first phase to get under the bridge blocked by rubble and building waste. The charity is now speaking to the other landowners in the area to get permission to fully open the path.

The works were funded and undertaken with support from Wonston Parish Council.

Charity trustee Tony Langridge said: “We have received tremendous local support when doing the clearance. Everyone says the changes are impressive. We met with people who used to use the railway and those keen to have a new path to access the countryside.”

The Watercress Way is a 26-mile circular trail following railway lines and ancient droves.

Anyone can become a Friend of the Way online at www.watercressway.org.uk or by contacting the secretary at info@watercressway.org.uk.

The website and other social media has details of volunteer days improving sections of the trail.