News / bridges
£2m needed to repair another footbridge
A bridge that crosses the River Avon close to Wake The Tiger in St Philip’s Marsh on one side and Paintworks on the other is to become the latest to close as part of the city council’s programme of rolling repairs to city bridges.
Sparke Evans Park Bridge will close for up to two years from October 30 in works that are estimated to cost £2m.
Gaol Ferry Bridge – very similar in style to Sparke Evans Bridge – has now reopened after its repairs, with nearby Vauxhall Bridge over the New Cut recently closing for refurbishment works.
is needed now More than ever
Built in 1933, Sparke Evans Park Bridge connects Sparke Evans Park to the Paintworks – photo: Martin Booth
Similar to its work on Gaol Ferry Bridge, the council’s contractor, Griffiths, will remove the decking on Sparke Evans Bridge and carry out a detailed inspection to assess its full condition.
This will be followed by repairs to the span’s structure, masonry and metalwork, as well as being repainted.
Sparke Evans Park Bridge was designed by David Rowell & Co of London and built by the Bristol firm John Lysaght in 1933.
Sparke Evans Park Bridge has an identical twin in Torres del Paine national park in Patagonia – photo: Martin Booth
Cabinet member for transport, Don Alexander, said: “Restoring Sparke Evans Park Bridge is the next part of our ambitious £16 million programme to secure the future of six bridges that cross the New Cut of the River Avon.
“It’s the first time in 20 years that the bridge will have any major work done to it and it is thanks to our focus on Bristol’s harbourside infrastructure that we have mobilised quickly to get the repairs booked in.
“I would like to thank everyone again for their patience while we work to repair and restore our city’s bridges and make sure these vital connections are protected for future generations.”
Main photo: Martin Booth
Read next:
- The story behind Bristol’s two almost identical bridges
- This is Bristol’s oldest bridge
- Hundreds join Gaol Ferry Bridge reopening party
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