Redcliffe Bridge in Bristol’s city centre will partially reopen next week after months of closure for maintenance works. The bridge will reopen to pedestrians at 5pm on Friday, November 18, and to drivers and cyclists on Monday, November 21.
But the bridge, a main route from Redcliffe over the floating harbour to Queen Square, will only open one half at a time until the end of the year while workers finish off maintenance and resurfacing work. Temporary traffic lights will be set up to allow drivers to go both ways.
From next Monday, the reopening of Redcliffe Bridge means general motor traffic can no longer use the Bristol Bridge, where a bus gate was temporarily suspended to provide an alternative diversion route into the city centre.
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Councillor Don Alexander, cabinet member for transport, said: “I am pleased the bridge will be open for everyone to use again next week, and that we are getting closer to the refurbishment works being completed. As temporary traffic signals will be in place at the bridge over the coming weeks, please be aware that some delays in the area are likely. We hope everyone will bear with us while we work to repair this important bridge.”
Redcliffe Bridge has been shut to motor traffic since August, and to pedestrians and cyclists since September. Maintenance works were initially due to take 10 weeks, finishing in the middle of October. But delays to the works have meant long diversions for many up to Bristol Bridge or along to Prince Street Bridge.
While the works were taking place, the bridge could be seen left lifted open and upright. This was to let engineers repair and upgrade the mechanical and electrical systems which allows the bridge to open for boats to pass through.
Early next year, contractors will close Redcliffe Bridge again for five days, to test the mechanics. This will be to check the bridge can be raised for large boats, and to allow the council’s team at the docks to get training on using the updated equipment. The Bristol Bridge bus gate will be suspended once more during these five days, for a diversion route.
