Plans to repair the footbridge in Keynsham Memorial Park will breathe new life into the area and improve public safety, Conservative councillors say.
Officers at Bath and North East Somerset Council are hoping to demolish the existing bridge this autumn and have a new one installed by spring 2023.
The existing bridge has been closed to the public since October 2019 when a visual inspection found it was unsafe for public use.
Since then, the Conservative councillors who represent Keynsham on B&NES Council have been urging the administration to get it fixed to provide a safe and convenient link to the park for pedestrians.
Cllr Lisa O’Brien, B&NES Conservative councillor for Keynsham South, said: “I’m pleased that plans to fix the footbridge are progressing, and I look forward to seeing demolition work start on site very soon.
“The bridge is a convenient link to the park and throughout its closure, people who aren’t able to walk far will have suffered due to the long diversion route. It’s also been difficult for children and their families to access the play area via Avon Mill Lane.
“I’m excited to see designs for the new bridge, which will breathe new life into the park and improve public safety for pedestrians.”
Following the closure of the bridge in 2019, investigations revealed that it was beyond repair and that the most cost-efficient solution was to install a new one. The council set aside £750,000 for the project in its budget for 2022/23.
