Sparke Evans Park Bridge reopens with new accessible ramp
Sparke Evans Park Bridge reopened to the public once again on Friday 22 May, following a major refurbishment and improvement works, restoring this vital crossing over the River Avon.
The footbridge, which was built in 1933, connects the Paintworks development and Arnos Vale Cemetery with the leafy Sparke Evans Park in St Philips. Earmarked for refurbishment as part of the council’s £16 million rolling programme to repair Bristol’s iconic bridges across the New Cut, Sparke Evans Park Bridge was closed to the public in October 2023.
While repairs were originally expected to take two years, the project was expanded following further surveys. This included replacing the original ramp onto the bridge, which was in poor condition and too steep for wheelchairs to use, with a brand-new accessible ramp, ensuring that all residents can comfortably walk, wheel and cycle over the bridge.
In addition to the new ramp, refurbishment work included:
- repairing the bridge’s structure, suspension cables and metalwork
- repairing the masonry
- painting the bridge
Councillor Ed Plowden, Chair of the Transport and Connectivity Committee, said: “It’s brilliant to see Sparke Evans Park Bridge open once again, reconnecting communities across the New Cut.
“Since its closure in 2023, we’ve made significant improvements to this vital crossing, including replacing the previous ramp to ensure it remains fully fit for purpose and accessible for all residents to use.
“I’d like to thank everyone for their patience and understanding during the refurbishment, and I look forward to seeing it enjoyed by the communities it serves for many years to come.”
The restoration of Sparke Evans Park Bridge cost in the region of £3 million, which has been funded by the Department for Transport’s City Region Sustainable Transport Settlement, secured by the West of England Mayoral Combined Authority.
The council also worked with the Mayoral Combined Authority to add new lighting, CCTV and resurfacing the southern approach from Edward Road.
Helen Godwin, Mayor of the West of England, said: “The restoration of Sparke Evans Park Bridge, and further investment in the surrounding area, will mean that people can walk, wheel or cycle via this route for many years to come. Getting the basics right by fixing our region’s roads and bridges is laying the foundations for a better transport system overall for the West of England.
“With record transport funding secured from the government for that next stage, together with our councils we will build a transport network that people can trust. That means better buses, more trains and stations, active travel improvements, and mass transit plans – as well as fixing historic bridges and filling in more potholes.”
The new ramp cost approximately £650,000 and is being funded separately by the council.
Today’s reopening marks the completion of the fifth New Cut bridge to be restored since the programme began. Find out more about Sparke Evans Park Bridge and the New Cut bridges restoration programme at www.bristol.gov.uk/newcutbridges.
About Sparke Evans Park Bridge
Sparke Evans Park Bridge was built in 1933 by John Lysaght and Co.
It is 58m in length with a span width of 3.10m.
It is a lightweight suspension bridge with diagonal and steel cross beams with lattice steelwork parapet construction. The suspension cables can be seen on both sides and are located along the access laneway on the south of the river and within Sparke Evans Park on the north.
The bridge crosses the River Avon.
New Cut Bridges restoration programme
- Gaol Ferry Bridge – refurbished and reopened in August 2022
- New Brislington Bridge – repaired in 2024
- Langon Street Bridge – refurbished and reopened June 2025
- Bath New Bridge – completed refurbishment in December 2025
- Sparke Evans Park Bridge – refurbished and reopened in May 2026
- Bathurst Swing Bridge – restoration works ongoing
- Vauxhall Bridge – restoration works ongoing
- Bedminster Bridges Roundabout (twin bridges) – work expected to start late autumn 2026
