Refurbishment of Redcliffe Bascule Bridge to restart
Work to refurbish Redcliffe Bascule Bridge, a major bridge on Bristol’s floating harbour, will start up again in June 2022.
Repairs originally got underway in January 2021 but the contractor, Cleveland Bridge UK Limited, went into administration and ceased to trade. The council is working with a new contractor, Alun Griffiths, to carry out the remaining repairs. This will involve significant repairs to the structural, mechanical and electrical elements to allow the bridge to open properly and let larger boats through. It will also protect the structural integrity of the bridge, reducing the need for future repairs.
The first stage of the project is expected to start in June 2022. This will see alternate footpath closures, with one side of the footpath available for pedestrians throughout this phase.
This will lead up to the second stage of the works programme later in the summer that includes repairs to the machinery which opens and closes the bascule bridge. As the bridge will need to remain in the upright, open position while the work is carried out, the whole bridge will close to pedestrians and all traffic for around 10 weeks.
Throughout the closure, people will be diverted across Bristol Bridge, which will temporarily allow access to all traffic while the repairs to Redcliffe Bascule Bridge take place. Advance notice and diversion routes will be promoted nearer the time.
This will be followed by further stages of work, which will require some lane closures and temporary traffic signals, but Redcliffe Bascule Bridge will reopen to traffic and pedestrians.
I am pleased we are in a position to restart the essential repairs to Redcliffe Bascule Bridge, which had been progressing well before they were forced to stop.
These works are vital to restore this Bristol landmark, future-proofing the structure and bringing the bridge back into full operation. It will also mean we can improve the road surface, reducing noise for local residents and creating better journeys for all.
We understand the full closure of the bridge for around 10 weeks later in the summer will cause significant disruption to residents, commuters and local businesses, and we will work to keep the closure to a minimum and put clear diversion routes in place and communicate this ahead of time.
We will also be encouraging motorists to travel to the city centre by bus, foot or bike wherever they can. Not only will this help to keep our road network operating smoothly, it will also help us to deliver clean air and become a carbon neutral and climate resilient city.”
Councillor Don Alexander, Cabinet Member for Transport
The refurbishment of Redcliffe Bascule Bridge is expected to cost around £2.85 million, which will be covered by money already set aside from Bristol’s capital funding programme. The work is programmed in to start in June 2022 and is expected to be completed early in 2023.
To keep up to date with the works, go to www.bristol.gov.uk/redcliffebridge.
