Closure of Gloucester footbridge surprises pedestrians
Highways officials say Hempsted bridge had to shut after a safety inspection
Last updated 24th Apr 2025
There's anger over the sudden closure of a Gloucester footbridge, which provides a vital link for dozens of schoolchildren.
Gloucestershire Highways closed Hempsted Bridge on Tuesday (April 22nd) after a safety inspection.
Hempsted residents have been campaigning for the bridge to be resurfaced for more than three years and say it's in an “absolutely disgusting state”.
Dibs Bucknell said: “It is in a pretty appalling state and over three years ago we have been on the case to try and get it repaired.
“A grandma was pushing her granddaughter along it and nearly catapulted her out into the canal because of the bumps. It is absolutely disgusting with people falling over it.”
He said an engineer arrived on Tuesday and closed the bridge shortly after residents raised concerns with the media over its poor state of repair.
“A engineer arrived and closed it,” he said. “It’s a bit of a coincidence.”
The former road bridge is used by school children from both sides of the Gloucester and Sharpness canal to get to Hempsted and Linden primary schools.
Those going to senior school catch the bus to school on the Bristol Road.
Mr Bucknell said: “All of the school children who cannot go to Hempsted School because it is too small are offered Linden.
“Linden, if you walk over that bridge, is within three miles. If you can’t walk over that bridge it is greater than three miles and therefore the council has to put on free transport.
“It is absolutely a massive cluster foxtrot of the highest order. It wouldn’t be a problem if a barge had it and it was an accident.
“But we’ve been campaigning for this for three years – why all of a sudden is there a kneejerk reaction?”
“And what are they doing about the schoolkids?”
Gloucestershire County Council say they closed the bridge on safety grounds.
A spokesperson said: “The council is responsible for the surface of the bridge used by pedestrians and cyclists, with the Canals and Rivers Trust responsible for the bridge structure and mechanisms that allows the bridge to open up for boat traffic.
“Following an inspection of the surface we made the decision to close the bridge on safety grounds due to the on-going deterioration of the deck boards.
“We are currently assessing temporary options to reopen the bridge to pedestrians again.
“Once we have an approved option, we will work with the Canals and Rivers Trust to agree on an installation date.
“We will keep the public informed and apologise for any inconvenience this has caused.”
The bridge is likely to be closed for a month, according to Gloucestershire Highways’ road closure map.
The Canal and River Trust say they are aware of the surface issues and have approached the highways department at the council about the issue:
“Our charity is aware of the surface issues at Hempsted Bridge and has approached Gloucestershire Highways to discuss the repairs required.
“We can assure residents and boaters on the canal that the bridge structure remains operational.
“To minimise disruption, it makes sense to align maintenance and repairs to the bridge structure alongside those to be undertaken by the council to the surface.”