Christmas reopening for bridge shut for three years

A footbridge over the River Thames has reopened for public use after almost three years of closure.

Oxford City Council said replacement works on Gasworks Pipe Bridge, which links Isis towpath with Friars Wharf and St Ebbe's in the city centre, had been "successfully completed".

It added final works around the site compound area and restoration of the towpaths would be carried out in early January.

Hinksey Park councillor Anna Railton said the reopening would be a "great Christmas present for many residents both sides of the river".

Work on refurbishing the bridge started in October 2023, after the site had been shut in March 2021 over fears that it could collapse.

The work included ground investigation, scaffold installation, deck removal, painting, brickwork repairs and bearing renewals.

The local authority previously said it was unlikely to finish until the summer.

The bridge was originally built in the 1920s to carry a pipe for the St Ebbe's gasworks site, which was later redeveloped for housing.

The pipe was replaced with a footpath in the 1970s.

The city council said the bridge had been de-jacked and reconnected to the abutments.

It added that contractors B&M McHugh Ltd would return to the site in early January to carry out final works.

That includes restoring the towpath underneath the bridge and demobilising the site compound.

Ms Railton said she was "delighted" the bridge was "finally reopened".

"It's also great to see a bit of South Oxford's industrial heritage restored and looking good again," she continued.

The council thanked the public for their "patience and cooperation".

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