Kingsweston Iron Bridge is a Grade II listed cast iron footbridge built in around 1800 that spans Kings Weston Road, linking Blaise Castle estate to Kingsweston Fields.
The footbridge closed in 2015 after a series of strikes by trucks made it unstable and unsafe. Since then, it has been secured and propped up by scaffolding, while a long-term solution was worked on that was sensitive to the footbridge's historic nature.
Restoration
The long-term plan for Kingsweston Iron Bridge is to:
- raise the structure up by just over a metre
- add steps at either end
- fully repair and restore the bridge
Work, carried out by heritage accredited contractors, to dismantle the bridge so it can be repaired off-site, started on 27 November 2023.
The cast iron structure of the bridge has been dismantled and transported to a workshop in Bristol where the paint from all the parts is being removed to assess their condition.
If a part is beyond repair, it will be re-casted. All replacement parts will be cast on a like for like basis.
Work to the stone abutments, either side of the bridge, started on 15 January 2024 and part of Kings Weston Road needed to be closed temporarily.
This will include building the abutments up by 1.074m, ready for when the bridge is craned back in place in a raised position on 30 April 2024.
Once it is in its new position, work will start to install steps up to the bridge so we can reopen it in July 2024.
Diversion for cars and other vehicles
While Kings Weston Road is closed from 15 January until spring 2024, drivers will need to follow the signposted diversion.
From Kings Weston Road, travel onto Long Cross, Kings Weston Avenue, Lower High Street, Avonmouth Road, Portway Roundabout, Portway, Sylvan Way, Shirehampton Road. Follow in reverse if travelling from the other direction.
Diversion for cyclists and pedestrians
Cyclists and pedestrians can make use of the existing public footpaths on the eastern side of the bridge that will be maintained so they are accessible.
Funding
The £1.1 million restoration project is being funded by the council's Highway Infrastructure Bridge Investments fund.
How Kingsweston Iron Bridge was damaged
Kingsweston Iron Bridge received significant structural damage after being hit by a truck in 2015.
The east underside of the cast iron structure suffered major damage and loss of the lower rib to two arch beams.
A temporary scaffolding bridge support arrangement above the footbridge was installed to prevent the bridge from collapsing onto the road below.