'Better outcome' Bridge to reopen in March following ramp delays

A BUSY bridge over the River Avon in Bristol is finally due to reopen in March after being closed for more than two years.

- Alex SEABROOK Local democracy reporter

Sparke Evans Park Bridge will reopen in March

The Sparke Evans footbridge links the Paintworks Development on the Bath Road with Sparke Evans Park in St Philips and was supposed to reopen last October.The six-month delay was blamed on the ramp leading from the park up to the bridge. While repairing and refurbishing the bridge, contractors found the ramp was in “extremely poor structural condition” and needed to be replaced.

The ramp was also too steep for modern standards, making accessing the bridge too hard for people on bicycles and wheelchairs. Leading councillors at Bristol City Council faced questions about the delay during a meeting of the member forum yesterday.