Work to repair a key footbridge across the River Avon in Bristol has been put on hold for the summer at least - because the bridge is so weak it might not be able to have scaffolding on it.
Council contractors were due to start the job of repairing Gaol Ferry Bridge, which connects South Bristol with Spike Island and the Wapping Wharf area of the city centre, in June - with the bridge set to close for the rest of the year.
But the closure of the bridge never happened last month, or this month, and now Bristol Live understands there's a big issue with the bridge's structure that is causing an even greater challenge than first thought. No date has yet been set for the closure of Gaol Ferry Bridge, and a new plan on how to actually do the work to repair it has to be drawn up, after engineers' initial assessments last month.
Read more: Calls for more bridges as Gaol Ferry Bridge set to close for half a year
Back in June, residents in Southville and Bedminster on the south side of the river, and the owners of the shops, bars and restaurants in Wapping Wharf, prepared themselves for the closure of the bridge - but it never happened. Bristol City Council promised then that they would give two weeks' notice before the bridge is closed - and that may now not be for a while yet.
The council said that the work did begin in June, when engineers began to assess what essential structural repairs were needed, but what they found has delayed the project. "This is a complex project which is presenting challenges from the outset," a spokesperson for Bristol City Council said.
"The main contractors, Griffiths, has already discovered the Bridge might not cope under the extra weight of proposed supporting scaffolding. This, and other complexities, mean the planned closure of the bridge and the majority of works have had to be deferred over the summer months so a revised plan can be developed.
“The new plan must be approved by an independent design specialist to make sure it is safe for the team of workers and their plant and equipment, and for the overall structure of the bridge. Until the plan is approved, we are unable to confirm the date the bridge will close.
“We reiterate our commitment to give at least two weeks’ notice before closing Gaol Ferry Bridge, keeping residents and local businesses updated, and will do our best to complete the works as quickly as possible," she added.
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