APPALLED villagers who are calling on rail chiefs to reduce the environmental impact of a new £1.2 million bridge that they have likened to a “recycled tin can” have won the backing of their MP.

North Wiltshire MP James Gray has now written to Network Rail urging them to improve the look of the bottle green “monstrosity” that crosses the track at Brinkworth.

The School Hill Road Bridge replaced a Victorian structure from the Brunel era in England’s longest village when it was opened in December as part of Network Rail’s ongoing electrification project.

But many residents in six-mile long Brinkworth claim that the functional iron structure next Earl Danby’s School is “an absolute eyesore” that is completely out of place in their picturesque Wiltshire village.

Mr Gray agrees with protesters and is now urging Network Rail to lessen the visual effect of the “hideous” bridge.

His strongly worded letter to the company said: “Along with so many of my constituents I have been absolutely horrified to see the ghastly metal contraption which Network Rail has erected at Brinkworth to replace the very pleasant old stone bridge which was there prior to your very necessary bridge heightening works.”

The Tory MP asked whether a cladding of brick or stone could be added to lessen the structure’s impact on its rural surroundings.

Mr Gray also felt that allowing other bridges of a similar design to be built as part of the electrification scheme would see public support for the project quickly disappear.

He went on: “It is simply unacceptable to cover an area like North Wiltshire in hideous metal bridges of the kind you seem to be proposing.

“I would be grateful for your urgent thoughts on the matter, which I might well seek to raise with the department for Culture, Media and Sport, English Heritage and others.”

Network Rail spokesman James Pritchard said that changes could be considered but maintained the position that bridges had to be constructed in a cost effective manner.

He said: “We appreciate the concerns raised by members of the community in Brinkworth about our bridge and have already met with a number of residents to discuss their views and to consider any possible improvements we may be able to put into place.

“This is something we will work on and have committed to discuss with the Parish Council in greater detail.

“We work very hard to ensure that all the works we are doing to electrify the railway are cost effective, functional and are supported by the communities who are our neighbours on the railway.”

Villager Martin Evans welcomed Mr Gray's intervention.

He said: “Things are beginning to move on. We’ve spoken to representatives from Network Rail who turned up at the bridge unannounced and they promised to come up with some solutions.”

Mr Evans would like to see the metal structure clad in brick or stone to improve its appearance.