People travelling along Cumberland Road, Commercial Road and York Road are once again benefiting from structurally sound routes following the completion of three major infrastructure projects this month.
Bathurst Bridge has reopened after an extensive Β£1.9 million refurbishment project, which was completed around six months ahead of schedule.
It is the sixth bridge to be completed in the councilβs Β£18.6 million programme to restore nine bridges that cross the New Cut of the River Avon.Β
Built in 1905, Bathurst Bridge carries road traffic and pedestrians from Wapping Road and Cumberland Road to Commercial Road in Bristolβs harbourside area.Β
Work included grit blasting the paint and corrosion off, repairing the structure, repainting and weatherproofing the bridge, and adding a high friction road surface and new lightweight decking panels on the footpath.Β
This month has also seen the completion of the βGatewayβ river wall stabilisation project, to repair two sections of river wall that runs alongside Cumberland Road near Gaol Ferry Bridge.
These Β£1.7 million works have been finished two months earlier than planned and Β£1.5 million under the original budget by using an innovative approach. This included laying concrete and rock foundations on the riverbed, fixing and anchoring the wall, and securing it with a protective wrap mesh.Β Β
The York Road stabilisation project has also come to an end, with the road reopening to two-way traffic on 8 September. This featured extensive works to the river wall next to Banana Bridge, which started with emergency repairs in July 2024 followed by the long-term repairs from December 2024.Β
The project included installing sheet piles to strengthen the road and river wall, rebuilding sections of riverbank, planting trees and vegetation, and resurfacing the road.Β
Councillor Ed Plowden, Chair of the Transport and Connectivity Committee, said:
"It's great to see Bathurst Bridge and these important river wall projects completed, and, in the case of the Gateway scheme, significantly under budget.Β
"These projects are helping to protect Bristolβs vital transport and harbour infrastructure, making it much easier and safer to travel through the area.
"I'd like to thank everyone for their patience while we carried out these complex engineering works, which will help safeguard these important structures for years to come.
"We're continuing to address the wider challenges facing Bristol's ageing river walls and bridges. Much of this infrastructure has suffered from decades of underinvestment, and we are working to secure funding to continue maintaining the New Cut, while protecting the transport network.β
Helen Godwin, Mayor of the West of England, said:
"The restoration of Bathurst Bridge and repairs to the river wall should safeguard these important routes for everyone who uses them for years to come. Getting the basics right by fixing our regionβs roads and bridges, including in Bristol, is laying the foundations for a better transport system overall for the West of England.
"With record transport funding secured from the government for the next stage, together with our councils, we are building a transport network that people can trust. That means better buses, more trains and stations, active travel improvements, and mass transit plans - as well as fixing historic bridges and filling in more potholes."
The New Cut bridges restoration programme is funded by the UK government using City Region Sustainable Transport Settlement, secured by the West of England Mayoral Combined Authority, plus Β£2 million from Bristol Clean Air Zone income.
The Β£12 million New Cut river walls stabilisation programme is being funded by Bristol City Council.Β
Visit the Bristol City Council website to find out more about the New Cut bridges restoration programme and keep up to date with New Cut river walls stabilisation project.
