“WE have a safety barrier”- the poignant words of safety campaigner Graham Chappell as he watched the completion of works to Bedlam Bridge near March.

“We have seen the finishing touches being made to the south parapet reinforcement and safety barrier installation at Bedlam Bridge, which is, amazingly, being completed on schedule,” he said.

“It is in part thanks to the incredible dedication and hard work of Neil McGlasson, and his team from Jackson-Civils who have laboured unflinchingly through the freezing cold weather and harsh conditions of the past three weeks.”

Mr Chappell founded the Fenland Road Safety Campaign (Charlotte’s Way) group which has partly helped to finance the installation. Cambridgeshire County Council agreed to provide the lion’s share of �85,000 being spent in two stages in and around the 1960s bridge.

“Though I have been unwell all week and have struggled to get about, I didn’t feel I could see the team depart without letting them know how much their efforts mean to the local community and all those who have supported the campaign,” he said.

“We look forward to their return to tackle the additional work scheduled for the north parapet, sometime after New Year, when hopefully, the weather will be a little kinder.”

Mr Chappell added: “I can’t repeat strongly enough how much the team’s hard work and dedication, through this extremely cold time, has been appreciated.

“It is quite incredible that they have managed to complete the south parapet reinforcement and extended riverside safety barrier installation, on time, working under such harsh conditions.”

Mr Chappell has campaigned since 2008 to get the barriers, raising thousands of pounds to help pay for them.

The campaign was launched after the death of nine-year-old Charlotte Walker, who died when the car she was travelling in left the road and plunged into the water near Bedlam Bridge.