After nine years of closure and following a £1.1million project to restore its structure and raise its height, the well-loved Kingsweston Iron Bridge, forming a pedestrian link between the Blaise Castle estate and Kingsweston Fields, reopened last month.
A Grade II-listed iron footbridge, built around 1800, it was closed in 2015 after a series of collisions from over-sized trucks severely damaged its structure, leaving it unsafe and unstable.
A major restoration began last year to dismantle the bridge and repair it off-site. Work was then undertaken to increase the supporting stone abutments either side, raising the height of the bridge by one metre. In April this year, the restored bridge was finally craned into position, before steps and handrails were added to facilitate access.
The restoration was funded by the council’s Highway Infrastructure Bridge Investments fund.
Councillor Ed Plowden, chair of Bristol City Council’s transport and connectivity committee, said: “I am delighted to see Kingsweston Iron Bridge open once again after nine years. I know local people and visitors to the area will be thrilled to have this important connection back in use.
“Well done to the project team for leading a restoration project that is both sensitive to its historic structure and its setting. These works have restored this beautiful historic footbridge, raising it out of harm’s way of HGVs, and I am sure it will be enjoyed both now and by future generations.
“I would like to thank the local people, who use and love this bridge, for their patience whilst we have been making sure we get this right for the long-term future.”
A grand reopening ceremony took place on July 14. The festivities began with a musical medley from the Bristol Ukelele Club Band before 12-year-old Louis showed off his skills on the drums. The afternoon was rounded off at Kingsweston House with complimentary hot drinks and cakes – thanks to John Barbey and his team.
One of the campaigners who worked tirelessly to bring the restoration project to fruition, Janet Poole, said: “It was lovely to see how the local community came together today to welcome home our much-loved iron bridge.
“The 126th Sea Mills Scouts paraded across the bridge before collecting a huge £121.17 in donations to buy daffodil bulbs. We will plant them on either side of the bridge to give us an amazing show next year.”