Bridge closure Frustration over wait for repairs
RESIDENTS have lost patience as a well-used pedestrian bridge in Keynsham remains closed almost two years after it shut for repairs.
The bridge over the weir in Keynsham Memorial Park was fenced off by Bath and North East Somerset Council (BANES) in October 2019, after inspections declared the structure was no longer viable due to decay.
But 74-year-old Richard Earle, who lives in the area, claims residents have since been forced to use unsafe alternative routes.
“We now have to negotiate a narrow, very uneven path to do a circular walk around the park or cross over twice on a busy junction,” he said.
The retired engineer is not the only resident to have grown frustrated with what they perceive to be a lack of action from BANES to repair or replace it.
According to the council, a new temporary bridge is now being considered to improve access in the short term, while it arranges a second structural survey to decide what to do with the original.
Helen Grist, pictured inset, who lives on the east side of Keynsham, said: “The council have been dragging their feet and the bandstand bridge being out of action all this time inconveniences all ages of residents.
“From the very young, whose parents have to negotiate a busy road twice to move from one part of the park to another, to older residents whose mobility issues mean they can’t access all areas of the park.”
She believes the council have shown no “urgency or willingness” to repair the bridge.
Councillor Jess David, cabinet assistant for neighbourhood services at the authority, said: “We appreciate the alternative river crossing is not as convenient to some users of the park as the Memorial Park Bridge.
“We are therefore looking into the feasibility of providing a new, temporary access to the park from Bath Hill. This will provide a more direct route for residents using the playground on the corner of Bath Hill and Avon Mill Lane.”
According to Mandy Bishop, chief operating officer of BANES council, a second structural survey of the bridge will be carried out.
She said: “Findings of the initial structure survey are that refurbishing the bridge would only extend life by five to 10 years.
“Replacement of the superstructure appears to be the emerging option, based on the assumption that the existing substructure can be reused. A second structural survey has been commissioned and includes intrusive investigations of the sub-structure. Once the outcomes are known, a programme will be put together for the remainder of the project.”
Councillor Alan Hale acknowledged that the prolonged bridge repairs are an inconvenience for people in Keynsham and said he hopes something will be done soon.
However, he added: “It is fair to say that this will not be an overnight fix both because of challenges regarding the need for user safety and also longevity of purpose and spending wisely if it needs to be completely replaced, including supporting structures.”