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Calls to repair and reopen 'appalling' canal bridge

Chloe Harcombe
BBC News, Gloucestershire
Danielle Hunt
BBC Radio Gloucestershire
BBC The Hempsted canal bridge. There are white fences either side of the bridge and red plastic construction gates cordoning off one side of the bridge. There are two road signs indicating an uneven surface and merging lanes.BBC
The bridge is now fully closed to pedestrians and cyclists

Residents are calling for urgent repair work to be carried out on a canal bridge which is in an "appalling" state.

Lower Hempsted Bridge in Gloucestershire provides pedestrian access over the Gloucester and Sharpness Canal but the tarmac on the structure is wearing away and exposing the wooden foundations. It is currently closed for safety reasons.

The Hempsted Residents Association has been urging the Canal and River Trust and Gloucestershire County Council to take action and repair the bridge, but they said no work has been done yet.

In a statement, the Canal and River Trust said it has approached the county council to discuss the repairs required.

The council said it is responsible for the maintaining the surface of the bridge while the Canal and River Trust oversees the structure and mechanisms that allow it to open and close for boats.

Dave Bucknall. He is bald and has glasses and a grey hoodie with a Gloucester Rugby badge on the chest. He is looking at the camera and smiling. The canal bridge can be seen behind him as well as a road sign.
Dave Bucknall said the condition of the bridge has become worse over time

Dave Bucknall, from the Hempsted Residents Association, said: "For over three years we've been petitioning to Highways, the council, the Canal and River Trust, local MPs past and present, councillors - they've all said it's going to be done, but we're yet to see any action.

"The bridge has got worse and worse."

The canal bridge. The tarmac is uneven and breaking up and the wooden foundations can be seen.
The wooden foundations are showing beneath the cracked tarmac

Following an inspection on Tuesday, Gloucestershire County Council has closed the bridge to pedestrians and cyclists.

It remains operational for passing boats.

In a statement, a spokesperson said: "We are currently assessing temporary options to reopen the bridge to pedestrians again.

"Once we have an approved option, we will work with the Canals and Rivers Trust to agree an installation date.

"We will keep the public informed and apologise for any inconvenience this has caused."

A spokesperson for the Canal and River Trust said: "We can assure residents and boaters on the canal that the bridge structure remains operational.

"To minimise disruption, it makes sense to align maintenance and repairs to the bridge structure alongside those to be undertaken by the council to the surface."

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