News / Kingsweston
Historic footbridge reopens after nine years
There was excitement in the air as the first steps were taken by the public across the newly reopened Kingsweston Iron Bridge.
“This is our first time across in nine years so it’s fairly momentous,” said dog walker Rosy Fowler. “It joins the two parts of Kingsweston together so this is just great.”
The footbridge been out of action since 2015 following several trucks hitting the historic structure, making it unstable and unsafe.
is needed now More than ever
Bristol City Council has now finished the £1.1m restoration project which took nine years and saw the grade II-listed bridge raised by one metre.
It’s a celebratory day for local campaigners who have been calling for the bridge to be fixed for years.
Standing with Don Alexander (left), Ed Plowden (right) said the bridge could now “be enjoyed both now and by future generations”
Thanking the council and contractors on Monday morning, former cabinet member for transport Don Alexander said he was “very excited” after “what’s obviously been a long journey”.
“It’s been a complex job from a historical perspective so I’m just absolutely delighted that it’s now finished.”
Asked why the works took nearly a decade, Alexander, who is also Labour councillor for Avonmouth & Lawrence Weston, said: “The planning process was what took so long.”
Green councillor for Windmill Hill and chair of transport committee Ed Plowden said: “It’s been an amazing job to restore a really early example of a cast iron bridge.
“I want to thank the community for their patience because it’s been a long, long time but hopefully we now have an enduring solution.”
Kingsweston Iron Bridge was built around the 1800s and spans Kingsweston Road, linking Blaise Castle Estate to Kingsweston Fields.
Initial repair work began in November, with the bridge being dismantled and transported to a workshop to be repaired off-site.
The footbridge is no longer fully accessible for those in wheelchairs or with buggies as steps have been added on either side.
Addressing accessibility concerns, Alexander said: “It was looked at getting a ramp which I personally was in favour of but Historic England felt it didn’t look good.
“In the end, the planning authority decided to put the historic value above the accessibility which is slightly disappointing.
Plowden said the decision was “difficult” but the planning committee felt that the area was not easily accessible anyway with steep hills on either side.
Disability campaigners have previously criticised the Kingsweston Iron Bridge repairs as “inaccessible”
Ross Simmonds, South West regional director at Historic England, said: “The beautiful Kingsweston Iron Bridge has long deserved this restoration.
“We worked hard to help the council reach a positive solution to repair the bridge, giving advice and technical knowledge along the way so it could be restored and made safe again, after many damaging collisions.
Cox (top right) said she was relieved to be able to use the bridge rather than the busy road below
Fowler was among the first to cross the bridge with De Cox, Nicky Wilkinson and Gilly Pine.
Fowler said: “We were worried about the steps when they were being built but they aren’t too bad, especially with the handrail.”
Cox said: “It’s much safer. You take your life in your hands crossing the road below as people are constantly speeding on it and it’s totally blind. It’s very dangerous.”
Wilkinson added: “We will be using it all the time. It’s just a eureka moment. Really exciting.”
All photos & video: Betty Woolerton
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