Exeter quay footbridge plan on hold over funding

PLANS to rebuild a well-known bridge removed at Exeter’s Quay have been delayed because of a lack of cash.

The wooden Mallison Bridge, originally built in 1984 and named after a professor who left his money to the city, closed in 2018 because of safety concerns after its timbers rotted and it was consequently taken down last year.

As a result, a small alleyway next to Commercial Road is currently the only way for pedestrians and cyclists to access the main part of the Quay from the popular Cricklepit Suspension Bridge.

Planning permission for a replacement pedestrian and cycle bridge was given in December 2018 and last year Exeter City Council announced “a new structure will be built as soon as adequate funding has been identified.”

But now members of the council’s executive have decided to put the project on hold “while further contributions are sought from partners to reduce the financial impact for Exeter City Council”. A council report says the budget is £772,500.

Councillor Diana Moore (Green, St David’s), co-leader of the Progressive Group of five councillors – the Greens, Lib Dem and Independent – criticised the decision. “Mallison Bridge has played an important role in the infrastructure of the Quay,” she said. “The one route off Cricklepit bridge has placed great pressure on the narrow alleyway causing conflict between pedestrians, cyclist, mobility scooters, etc and the access to the restaurant over the summer.

“It has not helped with managing anti-social behaviour in the area. In light of the Liveable Exeter and Exeter

City Living developments that will be coming forward in the area, we really need to invest in maintaining this infrastructure as a priority.”

In response, city council leader Phil Bialyk (Labour, Exwick) said: “My issue about this is we’ve got a financial decision to make and we decided, at this moment in time, not to spend £500,000 contributing towards the remainder of that bridge. We’re discussing it with the Canal and Quay Trust, we will discuss it again at the

The one route has placed great pressure on the narrow alleyway causing conflict CLLR DIANA MOORE

next Canal and Quay Trust meeting.”

“I’m a user of it – I think it looks all right. It was never there before but let’s talk about it,” said Cllr Bialyk, who told Cllr Moore that he would discuss the alleged anti-social behaviour in the alleyway at a community safety partnership meeting.

He added: “We’ve got decisions to make in this council. We’ve got some big decisions to make and what we repair, we’ve got to have an order and we’ve only put it back, it’s not saying we’re not going to do it.

“We’ll do exactly what we just said – we’re going to talk to the Canal and Quay Trust and talk to the police and safety people.”

David Smith The old Mallison Bridge, before it was removed