Which New Cut bridges we're restoring, what the restoration involves, what the cost will be, when bridges will open again.
Which bridges we're restoring
We're restoring 6 bridges that cross the New Cut of the River Avon over the next 5 years.
The project started with the restoration of Gaol Ferry Bridge. This was completed in September 2023.
The next 3 bridges to be repaired are:
- Vauxhall Bridge, which closed on 2 October 2023 for up to 2 years
- Sparke Evans Park Bridge, which closed on 30 October 2023 for up to 2 years
- Langton Street Bridge (Banana Bridge), which is closing on 13 May 2024 for up to 18 months
The remaining 2 New Cut bridges in the programme are:
- Bedminster Bridge (twin bridges)
- Bath Bridge (twin bridges)
Langton Street Bridge (Banana Bridge) works
Langton Street Bridge will close on Monday 13 May 2024 for up to 18 months for extensive repairs. It crosses the New Cut of the River Avon between Bedminster Bridge and Bath Bridge, linking the north and south of the river.
Work will include removing the surface, repairing the structure and masonry, and repainting the bridge.
The bridge needs to completely close from Monday 13 May 2024 and remain closed for up to 18 months.
The length of the work will depend on what condition the bridge is in. We'll determine this when we can access the full structure, once the bridge is closed.
Diversion while Langton Street Bridge is closed
While the bridge is closed, signposted diversions will direct people either on a route via Bath Bridge on Bath Road or via Bedminster Bridge.
Cost of restoration
The restoration project will cost up to £2 million.
This is being funded by the Department for Transport's City Region Sustainable Transport Settlement, administered by the West of England Combined Authority.
About Langton Street Bridge
Langton Street Bridge was built in 1883 and was initially used as a temporary crossing while Bedminster Bridge was being constructed.
When Bedminster Bridge was completed in 1884 the temporary bridge was moved up the river to Langton Street.
Langton Street was destroyed by bombing in World War 2.
The curved shape of Langton Street Bridge has led it to being known locally as Banana Bridge. It was later painted yellow.
Sparke Evans Park Bridge works
Sparke Evans Park Bridge closed on Monday 30 October for up to 2 years for extensive repairs.
Sparke Evans Park Bridge links Arnos Vale and the Paintworks development by Bath Road with Sparke Evans Park in St Philips.
Work will start with:
- removing the decking
- carrying out a detailed inspection to assess its full condition
This will be followed by repairs to the bridge's structure, masonry and metalwork and painting the full structure.
The bridge will remain closed for up to 2 years. The length of the work will depend on what condition the bridge is in. We'll determine this when we can access the full structure, once the bridge is closed.
Diversion while Sparke Evans Park Bridge is closed
While the bridge is closed, the diversions will signpost people along routes via 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.
Cost of restoration
The restoration project will cost about £2 million.
This is being funded by the Department for Transport's City Region Sustainable Transport Settlement, administered by the West of England Combined Authority.
About Sparke Evans Park Bridge
The bridge was built in 1933 by John Lysaght and Co.
It's 58m in length with a span width of 3.10m.
It's 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.
Vauxhall Bridge works
Vauxhall Bridge closed on Monday 2 October for up to 2 years, for extensive repairs.
Vauxhall Bridge links Southville and Spike Island. It crosses the New Cut and part of the Bristol Harbour Railway line.
Work to secure the long-term future of the bridge will include:
- removing the surface
- repairing the structure
- replacing some cross beams
- masonry repairs
- repainting the bridge
The bridge will remain closed for up to 2 years. It will remain closed for up to 2 years. This is because:
- of the scale of repairs
- the bridge is Grade II listed and heavyweight
The length of the work will depend on what condition the bridge is in. We'll determine this when we can access the full structure, once the bridge is closed.
Diversion while Vauxhall Bridge is closed
While Vauxhall Bridge is closed, the diversions will signpost people along routes via:
- Gaol Ferry Bridge, or
- Ashton Avenue Bridge
Access to the Chocolate Path under Vauxhall Bridge
The Chocolate Path reopened on 8 September 2023, with access from both ends.
Access between Vauxhall Bridge and the Chocolate Path was removed during the stabilisation and repair works to the path and Cumberland Road. The barrier was reinforced to stop people from accessing the site, for their own safety.
This access point will be closed during the works to Vauxhall Bridge. It would have been uneconomical to dismantle the barrier for 8 September only to have to reinstall it almost immediately afterwards.
Cost of restoration
The restoration project will cost in the region of £3 million. This is being funded by the Department for Transport's City Region Sustainable Transport Settlement, administered by the West of England Combined Authority.
About Vauxhall Bridge
Vauxhall Bridge is made up of two structures. These span the New Cut of the River Avon between Cumberland Road and Coronation Road in Bristol.
The bridge is a Grade II listed structure built around 1900. It's made up of two riveted, wrought iron lattice trusses with a wrought iron troughed deck supported on wrought iron cross plate beams.
It was originally constructed as a swing bridge. As river traffic stopped using this route to get to the shipyards along the New Cut, it has not been swung open since 1935. The bridge was bombed and shot at in the Second World War. Some damage is still visible.
The new link bridge was constructed in 1986. It consists of a main span made up of two steel warren girders joined by a steel deck, accessed by two flights of steps and two step ramps.
Gaol Ferry Bridge
The council reopened Gaol Ferry Bridge on 8 September 2023 following restoration works that started on 22 August 2022.