Kingsweston Iron Bridge reopens after 9 years
It was shut in 2015 after it was hit several times by lorries
A Grade II listed footbridge in the West Country which closed nearly a decade ago for being unsafe - has finally reopened.
The footbridge, which spans Kings Weston Road, was closed in 2015 after a series of collisions involving oversized trucks caused major structural damage and made the bridge unstable and unsafe.
It's been restored, one metre higher up, to stop the same thing happening again.
Councillor Ed Plowden, Chair of the Transport and Connectivity Committee, said: “I am delighted to see Kingsweston Iron Bridge open once again after nine years. I know local people and visitors to the area will be thrilled to have this important connection back in use."
“Well done to the project team for leading a restoration project that is both sensitive to its historic structure and its setting. These works have restored this beautiful historic footbridge, raising it out of harm’s way of HGVs, and I am sure it will be enjoyed both now and by future generations.
“I would like to thank the local people, who use and love this bridge, for their patience whilst we have been making sure we get this right for the long-term future.”
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.
“Now this important historic link between Blaise Estate and Kingsweston Fields has been re-established and we’re so pleased to have been able to play a part in securing its future.”