News / Marvin Rees
Rees: ‘We inherited a legacy of underinvestment’
Marvin Rees says that when he became mayor in 2016, he inherited “a legacy of underinvestment” which he has since “promised to reverse”.
Ahead of funding a rolling programme of works to six bridges along the New Cut that are all in need of structural repairs, Rees has written in his latest mayoral blog about bridges being an “intrinsic” part of Bristol.
The mayor reveals that Gaol Ferry Bridge is due to reopen “in the coming months” with the next repairs due to start on Sparke Evans Park Bridge.
is needed now More than ever
It could cost up to £2m to refurbish Sparke Evans Park Bridge, which was built in 1933 two years before Gaol Ferry Bridge and now connects the park to the Paintworks.
In his book, From Brycgstow to Bristol in 45 Bridges, Jeff Lucas describes Sparke Evans Park Bridge as “one of the highlights of the Bristol bridge walk. It is a light, elegant, steel suspension footbridge with steel basket balustrades.”
Sparke Evans Park Bridge connects Sparke Evans Park to the Paintworks – photo: Martin Booth
Once work is finished on Sparke Evans Park Bridge, repairs will take place on Vauxhall Bridge, the Banana Bridge, the twin bridges of Bedminster Bridge and Bath Bridge.
New Brislington Bridge and St Philip’s Causeway “are also in need of major structural repairs”, says Rees, who has also reiterated plans for repairs to the Kingsweston Iron Bridge, which will be dismantled and repaired off-site before being reinstated at a raised height.
Rees writes: “Not only do all these bridges keep the city connected, but they are important in helping people travel actively by walking and cycling, which will help us in our goal to cut congestion and reduce pollution from transport.
“We’ll keep you updated as plans for all our bridge repairs continue to take shape.”
Langton Street Bridge is better known as the Banana Bridge – photo: Ellie Pipe
Main photo: Bristol City Council
Read next:
- The story behind Bristol’s two almost identical bridges
- ‘More annoyance to come’ as other bridges need repairs after Gaol Ferry Bridge
- Changes needed due to bridges being built for cancelled arena
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