Bridge to partially reopen after repairs

REDCLIFFE Bridge in Bristol’s city centre will partially reopen to traffic next week after months of closure for maintenance works.

The bridge will reopen to pedestrians at 5pm tomorrow and to drivers and cyclists on Monday.

But the bridge, a main route from Redcliffe over the floating harbour to Queen Square, will only open one half at a time until the end of the year while workers finish off maintenance and resurfacing work. Temporary traffic lights will be set up to allow drivers to go both ways.

From Monday, the reopening of Redcliffe Bridge means motor traffic can no longer use the Bristol Bridge, where a bus gate was temporarily suspended to provide an alternative diversion route into the city centre.

Councillor Don Alexander, cabinet member for transport, said: “I am pleased the bridge will be open for everyone to use again next week, and that we are getting closer to the refurbishment works being completed. As temporary traffic signals will be in place at the bridge over the coming weeks, please be aware that some delays in the area are likely. We hope everyone will bear with us while we work to repair this important bridge.”

The bridge has been shut to motor traffic since August, and to pedestrians and cyclists since September. Works were due to take 10 weeks but were hit by delays.