News / bridges
‘Not very sensible’ bridges to be replaced
An “archaic” junction split across two bridges over a canal is set to be redesigned.
The Netham Lock bridges connect Feeder Road with Redfield and St George and are a key crossing point, but are now deemed “not very sensible”.
The pair of bridges run over the eastern end of the Feeder Canal, with the nearby New Brislington Bridge also due to be replaced.
A bridge was first built here when the Feeder was dug between 1804 and 1809 during the creation of the Floating Harbour, with a second bridge added sometime after the 1960s.
In the short term, Bristol City Council is planning to completely replace one of the two bridges at Netham Lock because of its poor structural condition.
The other Netham Lock bridge will undergo extensive repairs, which were approved by councillors on the transport policy committee.
Labour councillor Tim Rippington, who represents Brislington East, said: “We all know that junction is very archaic and not very sensible in the modern world.”
It is unclear exactly when replacement is planned but the bridge will not last another decade and so needs replacing before the Temple Quarter redevelopment which will take a decade or two to complete and likely include a new district centre along the Feeder and many more flats instead of industrial buildings.
New Brislington Bridge was Bristol’s first concrete bridge – photo: Mersina Booth
The nearby New Brislington Bridge over the River Avon – built around 1936 to 1938 to replace an older span – also needs replacing.
New Brislington was the name originally given to this area as the village of Brislington expanded northwards, but apart from the bridge that name has disappeared and the location is recognised as St Anne’s.
The bowstring bridge currently has concrete blocks along the side of the road to protect against a car hitting the weak sides of the distinctive span.
Bristol City Council spent £1m in 2025 carrying out carbon fibre repairs on New Brislington Bridge because the reinforcement steel had deteriorated.
Bristol City Council head of highways, Shaun Taylor, said: “We’ve already sweated that asset and we’re very conscious about it.
“We are working towards what we can do to replace it, and it will need replacing at some point.”
Concrete bridges tend to have a lifespan of 100 years – photo: Martin Booth
This article is published as part of the BBC-funded Local Democracy Reporting Service. Another website in Bristol is making its readers pay for LDRS stories but at Bristol24/7 we will never have a paywall. If you want to support our independent journalism, please consider becoming a member from just £3 per month
Main photo: Mersina Booth
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