Riverside towpath to close while old bridge is removed
A towpath in Bath is to be closed for weeks while work to remove an old bridge is carried out.
Work on removing the redundant gas pipeline bridge alongside Windsor Bridge began this month and is expected to take until early December to complete.
Bath and North East Somerset Council had previously considered repurposing the bridge but decided to remove and demolish the redundant structure to prevent a safety risk to river and tow path users. The work forms part of the wider redevelopment of the second phase of Bath Western Riverside to build more homes and improve accessibility along the towpath.
A section of the towpath beneath the bridge will be closed from October 9 until December 8 to allow for the work to take place. A second section of the towpath will also be closed from October 4 to early December to allow landscaping work by the new pedestrian bridge at Bath Quays.
Short diversion routes will be in place for both closures. Existing trees at the site will need to be felled as part of the work, however the council will follow a tree replacement strategy to offset this loss, including on and off-site planting and replacement.
Additional planting will be carried out on the southern side of the river, with semi-mature trees planted upon completion of the work. Bath and North East Somerset cabinet member for transport Councillor Manda Rigby said: “We are working to keep any disruption to a minimum but please keep an eye out for updates on the planned three-day road closure in November.
“The demolition works are necessary and will help progress both the Bath Western Riverside and Bath River Line projects, including improving the towpath which is a key cycle and walking route into Bath city centre”.
The bridge was built in 1837 and linked the Twerton and Weston areas of Bath until 1980.
The bridge was repurposed to carry gas pipes in 1979 and lasted beyond the end of its serviceable life. Its removal sparked objections from the Bristol Industrial Archaeological Society who said they should be preserved due to their historic value in understanding the riverside industrial development of the city.
Once the bridge is removed landscaping and public realm improvements will take place in 2024 to provide enhanced access to the Bath River Line including a 6.2 mile linear park through the the city.