Sparke Evans Park Bridge set to close temporarily for full restoration
As part of the council’s £16 million rolling programme of repairs to bridges along the New Cut, Sparke Evans Park Bridge will close for up to two years from Monday 30 October to deliver the next phase of this much needed project.
This work follows the reopening of the newly refurbished Gaol Ferry Bridge in September and the closure of Vauxhall Bridge for essential repairs at the start of October.
Built in 1933, Sparke Evans Park Bridge is a footbridge that links the Paintworks development by Bath Road with Sparke Evans Park in St Philips.
The council’s contractor, Griffiths, will close the bridge on 30 October to remove the decking and carry out a detailed inspection to assess its full condition. This will be followed by repairs to the bridge’s structure, masonry and metalwork. It will also be painted so it will look as good as new when the works are complete.
Sparke Evans Park Bridge will be closed to the public from when the restoration project begins and is anticipated to remain closed for up to two years. The time it takes to carry out the repairs will depend on what condition the bridge is in upon further inspection, which is only possible to see once it has been closed when the full structure can be accessed – as with Vauxhall Bridge and, previously, with Gaol Ferry Bridge.
Restoring Sparke Evans Park Bridge is the next part of our ambitious £16 million programme to secure the future of six bridges that cross the New Cut of the River Avon.
Councillor Don Alexander, Cabinet Member for Transport
It’s the first time in 20 years that the bridge will have any major work done to it and it is thanks to our focus on Bristol’s harbourside infrastructure that we have mobilised quickly to get the repairs booked in.
I would like to thank everyone again for their patience while we work to repair and restore our city’s bridges and make sure these vital connections are protected for future generation.
Signage at and around Sparke Evans Park Bridge will be displayed and letters set out to residents and businesses in the area, advising of the upcoming closure.
While it is closed, the diversions will signpost people along routes from the south via A4 Bath Road, Totterdown Bridge, Saint Phillips Spine Road and Albert Road. From the north the diversion will be via Albert Road, Saint Phillips Causeway or via the northside river walk towpath through Sparke Evans Park.
The restoration of Sparke Evans Park Bridge will cost in the region of £2 million, which is being funded by the Department for Transport’s City Region Sustainable Transport Settlement, administered by the West of England Combined Authority.
Find out more about Sparke Evans Park Bridge and the New Cut bridges programme of repairs 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 58.00m in length, with a span width of 3.10m.
It is a 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 Pocket Park on the north.
The bridge crosses the River Avon.
Upcoming works
Three New Cut bridges are set to be repaired over five years, including:
- Langton Street Bridge (Banana Bridge)
- Bedminster Bridge (twin bridges)
- Bath Bridge (twin bridges)
Work will include:
- refurbishment of all structural elements
- resurfacing and masonry strengthening
- repainting of all elements of bridges
Work underway
Vauxhall Bridge closed for up to two years on 2 October for a programme of essential repairs.
Completed bridge
Work started on 22 August 2022 to repair Gaol Ferry Bridge. The council reopened the restored bridge on 8 September 2023.
