Kingsweston Iron Bridge repair work set to begin eight years after …
Work to repair and raise up a historic footbridge in Bristol will begin at the end of next month, nearly a decade after it was shut off. Kingsweston Iron Bridge, which links Blaise Castle Estate to Kingsweston Fields, has been closed since 2015 after a series of collisions by trucks made it unstable.
The Grade II listed cast iron footbridge has been propped up by scaffolding since as council officials worked out a long-term solution to the issue. It has now been decided to dismantle the bridge piece-by-piece before repairing it and raising it up by just over a metre.
The work, which will be carried out by heritage accredited contractors and cost £1.1 million[1], will begin on November 27. As well as dismantling and repairing the bridge, the works also include adding steps at either end, Bristol City Council[2] said.
It is expected to take around two weeks to take the structure down. This means Kings Weston Road will be closed for this period with a signposted diversion in place.
After being dismantled, the bridge – which was built in around 1800 – will be taken to a workshop in Bristol where the paint from all the components will be removed to assess their condition. Any parts which are beyond repair will be re-casted on a like-for-like basis.
Meanwhile, work to the stone abutments at either end of the bridge will begin in the New Year. This will include This will include building them up by 1.074m and adding steps, ready for when the bridge can be craned back in place in a raised position later in 2024.
Councillor Don Alexander, Cabinet Member for Transport, said: “As the ward member for Avonmouth[5] and Lawrence Weston, I am especially delighted that we are in a position get started with the repairs to this historic bridge. I know many people have missed Kingsweston Iron Bridge while it has been out of action and will welcome the news that we are restoring it and will be reopening it next year.”
References
- ^ and cost £1.1 million (www.bristolpost.co.uk)
- ^ Bristol City Council (www.bristolpost.co.uk)
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- ^ Avonmouth (www.bristolpost.co.uk)