Another bridge in Bristol will be out of bounds for ten weeks this summer

Work to refurbish Redcliffe Bascule Bridge is set to get underway again this summer – 15 months later than initially planned.

It will mean the route over the Floating Harbour linking Redcliffe Way and Welsh Back will be closed to all vehicles and pedestrians for ten weeks while “significant repairs” are carried out on the structure, which was built in 1942.

Traffic will instead be diverted across Bristol Bridge, which will temporarily reopen to cars, vans and lorries two years after it was closed to through traffic.

The work that was initially started in January last year was then halted after the initial contractor chosen by Bristol City Council, Cleveland Bridge UK Limited, went into administration and ceased to trade. The bridge has not fully worked since 2015.

The council initially budgeted £3m to cover the cost of repairing the ageing bridge and cabinet members approved an additional £1.2m to fund the project in December 2020. 

Work is finally due to begin again next month, with new contractor, Alun Griffiths, set to carry out repairs to the structural, mechanical and electrical elements to allow the bridge to open properly and let larger boats through. The council says it will also protect the structural integrity of the bridge, reducing the need for future repairs.

This will mean alternate footpath closures across the bridge from June. It will then close to all traffic and pedestrians for ten weeks later in the summer.

This is to allow repair work on the machinery that opens and closes the bridge, meaning it will need to stay in the upright, open position.

It comes as the Gaol Ferry Bridge, connecting Coronation Road and Wapping Wharf is set to close for six months this summer, prompting fears from traders about the impact on businesses.

………………………………………..

Read more: Closure date for Gaol Ferry Bridge announced 

………………………………………..

Just along the water from Redcliffe Bascule Bridge, Prince Street Bridge is also in need of urgent repair work as the mechanism that allows it to lift is broken.

Redcliffe Bascule Bridge will be closed for repairs for ten weeks later this summer – photo: Ellie Pipe

Don Alexander, Labour’s cabinet member for transport, said: “I am pleased we are in a position to restart the essential repairs to Redcliffe Bascule Bridge, which had been progressing well before they were forced to stop.

“These works are vital to restore this Bristol landmark, future-proofing the structure and bringing the bridge back into full operation. It will also mean we can improve the road surface, reducing noise for local residents and creating better journeys for all.

“We understand the full closure of the bridge for around ten weeks later in the summer will cause significant disruption to residents, commuters and local businesses, and we will work to keep the closure to a minimum and put clear diversion routes in place and communicate this ahead of time.

“We will also be encouraging motorists to travel to the city centre by bus, foot or bike wherever they can. Not only will this help to keep our road network operating smoothly, it will also help us to deliver clean air and become a carbon neutral and climate resilient city.”

Bristol City Council has said advance notice and diversion routes will be promoted nearer the time of the ten-week closure.

Following this, work will continue that will require some lane closures and temporary traffic signals, but Redcliffe Bascule Bridge will reopen to traffic and pedestrians.

Work is expected to be completed early in 2023.

Main photo: Martin Booth

Read more: Swing bridge fault disrupting ‘hundreds’ of ferry bookings 

Listen to the latest Bristol24/7 Behind the Headlines podcast: