The landlords at Wapping Wharf have reacted to Bristol City Council's announcement that work to Gaol Ferry Bridge must be extended by at least another three months. Umberslade, which manages Wapping Wharf and the Cargo development, said it was "hugely saddened and disappointed" by the news after footfall has decreased with the loss of the key pedestrian route from south Bristol.
Last week, the council's transport chief Don Alexander said the route won’t reopen until the autumn at the earliest after the condition of the historic bridge was found to be much worse than first thought, with the steelwork described as "paper thin" in some places.
Pictures shared by the contractors, Griffiths, show the state of the ageing infrastructure which is now expected to cost £1.5 million in total to repair, £500,000 more than the original budget. In light of the extension, Cllr Alexander added that he thought "it is only right that the city considers the need for another nearby foot and cycle bridge across the New Cut".
Read more: 'Paper thin' Gaol Ferry Bridge in Bristol much worse than first thought says council
Speaking on the impact it will have on the traders at Wapping Wharf, Stuart Hatton, owner of Umberslade, said: "It goes without saying that we're hugely saddened and disappointed by the recent announcement from Bristol City Council that the ongoing works to Gaol Ferry Bridge will be extended for at least another three months. The works up until now have undoubtedly had a huge impact on the footfall here at Wapping Wharf, which has had an effect on trade for our community of independent retailers, so to hear that this will extend into the spring is a knock for everyone.
"That said, now that the full scale of the works has been assessed, we're hopeful that we can now see more action from the council, with an increased workforce on the bridge and a renewed push to ensure these works are completed as quickly as possible. Now more than ever we'd like to encourage people to do everything they can to support our community of local businesses here at Wapping Wharf, especially as we move into the spring and summer months, and we'd like to say a huge thank you to everyone who's shown so much love and support for them so far."
Mr Hatton previously said the recent business closures at Wapping Wharf are completely "unrelated" to the footbridge and welcomed the repairs. Umberslade has a list of prospective tenants waiting to move into the empty shipping containers.
Pedestrians are encouraged to use the diversion routes across Bedminster Bridge and Vauxhall bridge to access the some 45 independent restaurants, shops, bars and cafes in the Cargo development and on Gaol Ferry Steps. To keep the businesses at Wapping Wharf up to date with the works, the council issues fortnightly briefings and answers any extra questions they might have.
In the update issued on Friday (February 24), Cllr Alexander added: "We will continue to support Wapping Wharf traders, making sure they are promoted along the diversion routes as well as supporting them through promotional campaigns. We have previously directed the businesses to where they can find out about rates relief while the bridge is temporarily closed, and will carry on issuing fortnightly briefings about the works and answering any questions they might have.”
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