The council has warned of a major division this summer as Redcliffe Bascule Bridge will close to both road users and pedestrians for extensive repair work. A diversion will be in place for approximately ten weeks across Bristol Bridge instead, a route that normally earns drivers a £60 fine.
Bristol City Council has said that extensive repairs are needed for the bridge on Bristol's floating harbour, which is expected to take ten weeks. However, there will continue to be some disruption once the bridge reopens for road use including some lane closures and temporary traffic signals.
The 80-year-old bridge, which connects Redcliffe to Welsh Back near Queen Square, will completely close from Monday, August 1, while contractors Alun Griffiths fix the machinery which opens and closes it. A councillor has acknowledged that the closure "will cause disruption".
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Repairs began in January last year but stalled after the company fixing the structure, Cleveland Bridge, went into administration. The bridge has not fully worked since 2015.
Phase one of the project has already seen the closure of a pedestrian footpath. The refurbishment is expected to cost around £2.85 million funded by money set aside from Bristol’s capital funding programme.
Councillor Don Alexander, Cabinet Member for Transport, said: “While it’s good news that the repairs are progressing well, we understand that closing Redcliffe Bridge this summer will cause disruption to residents, commuters and local businesses. We will put a clear diversion in place and will do our best to keep the closure to a minimum.
“To help reduce the pressure on our road network, we are encouraging motorists to travel to the city centre by bus, foot or bike wherever they can. Not only will this help to keep the roads operating smoothly, it will also help us to deliver clean air and become a carbon neutral and climate resilient city.
“This much needed investment into the refurbishment works will mean larger boats will once again be able to sail through the Welsh Back. It will also protect the structure of the bridge while helping to reduce noise pollution from traffic.”
This stage of the work includes repairing the machinery which opens and closes the bascule bridge. As it will need to remain in the upright, open position while the work is carried out, the whole bridge will be closed to pedestrians and all traffic.
Throughout the closure, people will be asked to follow the diversion across Bristol Bridge, which will temporarily allow access to all traffic while the repairs take place. This means road users will not be fined for crossing Bristol Bridge as long as they follow the official diversion.
Bristol Live revealed that more than 141,045 fines were issued since enforcement of the bus gate over Bristol Bridge started in November 2020 up until February 2022.
The closure of the Bascule bridge will coincide with another important bridge closing. Gaol Ferry footbridge, which was due to shut in June for six months of repair work, has been delayed by the council.
Bristol City Council is yet to announce a new start date for the repair work on the bridge leading to Wapping Wharf.
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