News / Gaol Ferry Bridge
Reopening date revealed for Gaol Ferry Bridge
It will be lucky 13 when Gaol Ferry Bridge reopens 13 months after it was closed for repairs.
The footbridge over the New Cut linking Southville to Wapping Wharf is set to reopen at 5pm on September 8, just a few days after the planned reopening of the nearby Chocolate Path.
Refurbishment works costing £1.5m have included replacing the structural steelwork and rotten timbers, and repairing the steel lattice work; with new decking still to be installed.
The pedestrian crossing on Cumberland Road next to the bridge will be refurbished ahead of the reopening of the historic span.
Gaol Ferry Bridge is also the first of six bridges to be restored in the council’s £16m rolling programme of repairs, with others due to be repaired over the coming years including Vauxhall Bridge, the Banana Bridge and Sparke Evans Bridge.
Gaol Ferry Steps through the centre of Wapping Wharf is situated on a desire line between Gaol Ferry Bridge and the city centre – photo: Martin Booth
The repairs to Gaol Ferry Bridge have severely impacted many of the businesses in Wapping Wharf, with several closing since the bridge has been shut to pedestrians.
“We’re over the moon that this key route will be back open soon,” said a statement published on Wapping Wharf’s social media channels.
“Thank you to everyone who’s continued to make the journey and support us during this time. You’re all wonderful!”
Cabinet member for transport, Don Alexander, used an identical phrase to Marvin Rees did in May when he said that their administration “inherited a legacy of underinvestment”.
Alexander said: “I am delighted that we will be reopening Gaol Ferry Bridge in a month’s time on September 8.
“I know everyone who uses this popular foot and cycle bridge will be pleased to have a date when they will be able to start using it again.
“Thank you again to local residents and businesses for their patience as Griffiths, our contractor, completed the first major repair programme in the bridge’s almost 100-year history.
“It’s been a challenging project as the bridge was in an even worse condition than anticipated, with paper-thin steelwork in some places.”
Alexander added: “Over the years, Gaol Ferry Bridge, along with many other bridges and structures in Bristol, have been neglected.
“Having inherited a legacy of underinvestment, I am proud we have put together a multi-million pound investment programme to make sure Bristol’s bridges are safe for future generations.”
Main photo: Martin Booth
Read next:
- Bristol needs more bridges
- The gaol ferry that was here before Gaol Ferry Bridge
- Rees: ‘We inherited a legacy of underinvestment
Listen to the latest Bristol24/7 Behind the Headlines podcast:
Our newsletters emailed directly to you
