Commuters face years of chaos crossing the New Cut in Bristol as seven more bridges need urgent repairs after Gaol Ferry bridge is fixed. Five years of repair works are planned costing millions of pounds, although lengthy delays have already hit work on Gaol Ferry bridge.
“Serious areas of concern which need repair” have been found by inspectors on Vauxhall footbridge, Bedminster bridge roundabout, the Banana footbridge, Bath bridge roundabout, and Sparke Evans footbridge. A five-year repair programme is being planned.
Inspection work has already started on Sparke Evans footbridge, which is due to close in the near future. Repair work for this bridge is expected to cost between £1.5 million and £2 million, according to a Bristol City Council cabinet report. Two other bridges must also be inspected to assess their condition, the New Brislington Bridge and Saint Phillips Causeway.
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The cabinet report said: “Saint Phillips Causeway is a one kilometre long elevated viaduct which a recent principal inspection has identified now needs a major structural refurbishment. It is proposed to spend £500,000 in doing further feasibility studies, costings and a detailed design package.
“The New Brislington overbridge is in very poor condition with significant major concrete defects. The vertical bridge hangers are also at risk from vehicle impact due to their slender nature and lack of Vehicle Restraint System protection.
“The outcome of the two feasibility studies for the above assets, is to enable the authority to progress significant refurbishment, or replacement in relation to New Brislington Bridge, in future bids to the Department for Transport.”
The cabinet is meeting on Tuesday, June 6, to discuss the latest plans. £16 million is earmarked to be spent on the repairs, which is coming from a pot of money from the government called the City Regional Sustainable Transport Settlement. Repair works began on the Gaol Ferry bridge last August and are due to be potentially completed in September.
