Bridge repairs Reopening delayed due to non-compliant access ramp

THE reopening of a key footbridge across the River Avon in Bristol has been delayed by another four months - because an access ramp onto the newly-refurbished bridge is 'non-compliant, say local councillors.

- Tristan CORK

The Sparke Evans Bridge, which connects the Arnos Vale and the Paintworks area of Brislington with Sparke Evans Park and the rest of St Philips, has been closed since October 2023.

The £2 million refurbishment project was due to take up to two years, and was on schedule to be completed and reopened next month - in October 2025.

The bridge itself has now been repaired and restored successfully, but the delay has arisen from a problem with the access ramp, which has to be replaced, but the replacement is not suitable.