THE design of a footbridge for the new school at Corn Gastons, Malmesbury has come in for flak from the Civic Trust.

The proposed bridge, across Sherston Road, was omitted from the school's original building plans.

However, it was later included by developers after parents and Malmesbury Town Council expressed strong concerns about the safety of pupils crossing the busy Sherston Road to enter the school, expected to be completed early in 2002.

But Civic Trust vice-chairman Bernard Skinner said: "I have seen the design of the footbridge and what struck me was that it is completely utilitarian.

"It is a concrete and metal structure with no individual character that could apply to Malmesbury. It should be more distinctive."

The Civic Trust was set up to maintain and enhance Malmesbury's character.

Mr Skinner said: "The footbridge is going to be in a prominent part of the town and will mark the town's entrance from the Sherston side.

"The design needs to be looked at again, not just purely from an engineering sense to get pedestrians from one side to the other, but in terms of the total effect of the bridge on its surroundings."

A Wiltshire County Council spokesman said the project was subject to financial constraints.

He said: "The bridge represents the best value for money design."

But Mr Skinner said: "Financial constraints do not excuse bad designs."