Summary
A Gloucester footbridge popular with dog walkers has been closed for months, with confusion over who is responsible. The bridge between Nene Close and Highclere Road in Quedgeley was closed after being deemed structurally unsafe. The situation is “frustrating” according to one resident who contacted Gloucestershire Live .
Details
“This is a well used path used by dog walkers and people on recreational walks and people walking towards town,” they said. Initially, there was confusion over who was responsible for the bridge as it links a footpath which is not currently on the official register of public rights of way, despite decades of use.
Councillor Liam Harries (LD, Quedgeley Severn Vale) has now established that the responsibility for the bridge lies with Gloucester City Council and he is pressing for action to secure its future. A structural engineer is being appointed to inspect the bridge and assess its condition and an investigation will help determine whether it can be repaired or if a full replacement will be required.
Cllr Harries said: “Residents have been raising concerns with me for some time about the closure of this bridge. “While the alternative route is relatively short at around 177 metres long, many residents understandably want to see this reopened.
“However, before we could move forward, we first had to establish exactly who was responsible, as there was considerable confusion between many different organisations.” He went on to say he is pleased that city council officers are actively working to identify the best way forward.
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“The appointment of a structural engineer is an important step because it will give us a clear understanding of the bridge’s condition and what work is required to reopen it,” he said. However, he stressed that funding constraints could affect timescales. “I also want to be honest with residents about the challenges,” he said.
“Given the council’s financial issues due to long term insufficiencies in budget controls and monitoring, we need to make sure that spending is accounted for within the annual budget.
The funding for a replacement bridge isn’t available in the current budget.” “Until engineers have completed their inspections, we won’t know whether we’re looking at a relatively straightforward repair or a much more costly replacement.
What You Need to Know
Cllr Harries said: “Residents have been raising concerns with me for some time about the closure of this bridge. “While the alternative route is relatively short at around 177 metres long, many residents understandably want to see this reopened.
Report source: Gloucestershire Live
