Vauxhall Bridge restoration works to begin in October
The next phase of Bristol City Council’s £16 million investment in six New Cut bridges begins on 2 October.
Hot on the heels of Gaol Ferry Bridge reopening on 8 September, following a complete restoration, the council is moving onto the next bridge in its programme of rolling repairs. This is Vauxhall Bridge, a Grade II listed footbridge which links Southville and Spike Island, crossing the New Cut and part of the Bristol Harbour Railway line.
Vauxhall Bridge will close on Monday 2 October for a detailed inspection followed by essential repairs.
Work to secure the long-term future of the bridge will include removing the surface, repairing the structure and replacing some cross beams, as well as masonry repairs and repainting the bridge.
Vauxhall Bridge will be completely closed from when the restoration project begins on 2 October, and is anticipated to remain closed for up to two years.
The length of the repairs will depend on what condition the bridge is in upon further detailed inspection, which is only possible when the full structure can be accessed once it is closed.
We are working at pace on our bridges programme and will be tackling Vauxhall Bridge next, as we continue with major investment in Bristol’s infrastructure after the sticking plaster approach of previous administrations.
Councillor Don Alexander, Cabinet Member for Transport
It’s part of our £16 million investment plan to safeguard the future of six bridges that cross the New Cut. Of this, we are investing £3 million to make sure Vauxhall Bridge is fully restored and is the first time it will have such major works since the 1980s.
The restoration will make it almost as good as new so that it can remain open for years to come, strengthening our valuable connections across the river and supporting people who walk and cycle in Bristol.
We know that it’s important to complete the works as quickly as possible and so I would like to thank everyone for their patience while we carry out these essential repairs, while we continue to plan repairs for other bridges along the New Cut.
Signage at and around the bridge will be installed and letters to local residents and businesses issued shortly, advising of the upcoming closure. While Vauxhall Bridge is closed, the diversions will signpost people along routes via Gaol Ferry Bridge or Ashton Avenue Bridge.
The Chocolate Path reopened on 8 September, with access from both ends. Access from Vauxhall Bridge to the Chocolate Path was removed during the stabilisation and repair works to the path and Cumberland Road, with the barrier reinforced to prevent people from accessing the site for their own safety. As this access point will be closed during the works to Vauxhall Bridge, it would have been uneconomical to dismantle the barrier only to reinstall it almost immediately after. The Chocolate Path running under Vauxhall Bridge will remain open throughout the works.
The restoration project will cost in the region of £3 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 the New Cut bridges programme of repairs at www.bristol.gov.uk/newcutbridges.
