Access Row Over Venice Bridge

Plans put forward by a leading Spanish architect for a state-of-the-art footbridge in Venice have come under attack for ignoring access for the disabled.

Santiago Calatrava has designed an elegant, steel and glass structure that will arch across Venice's main waterway, the Grand Canal. Its glass and stone steps, stretching 80 metres (263ft), are inaccessible by wheelchair.

Mr Calatrava, who has designed around 40 bridges in historic town centres around the world, says the bridge, to be floodlit at night, will be "a carpet of light that reflects on the expanse of water".

Groups representing disabled people in Italy have challenged the designer, arguing that the proposed span, costing Venice authorities more than €5m (£3.4m), does not conform to modern regulations for disabled access.

"We know that this bridge is a work of art," said Franco Buonpezzi. "But it makes no consideration for anyone who is not superman. You can understand that nobody thought of the disabled when they built the Rialto bridge. But these days you can't go spending public money on public projects that leave people out."

Critics believe the bridge, the first to be built across the canal in 70 years, should be accessible to all. But Mr Calatrava has reportedly warned that if he is forced to redesign it, the project may be postponed indefinitely.