By Carmelo Garcia – Local Democracy Reporter
A Gloucester footbridge which is a vital link for dozens of schoolchildren closed suddenly last month is expected to reopen in August.
Gloucestershire Highways closed Hempsted Bridge on April 22 after a safety inspection.
Hempsted residents had been campaigning for the bridge to be resurfaced for more than three years and they say it is an “absolutely disgusting state”.
The Canal and River Trust, who own the bridge across the Gloucester and Sharpness Canal, will begin the necessary repair works in the next couple of months ahead of resurfacing by highways workers.
They say they have secured funding and are awaiting specialist material to be delivered before they remove the current bridge surface and deck and replace it with a new timber deck on behalf of the council.
Boats will still be able to navigate the canal but the bridge will not be accessible for other users until repairs are completed.
Dibs Bucknell said Hempsted residents are intensely disappointed that despite constant emails going back over three years nothing was done before about the deteriorating state of the bridge.
“Only when the Hempsted Residents Association involved the media did anything happen.
“That was a kneejerk reaction of closing the bridge for what would seem like a period of four to five months.
“Surely a thin steel plate can be laid in the centre to allow access. We have written to our MP to ask him to follow it up.”
Newly-elected County Councillor Rebecca Trimnell (LD, Hempsted and Westgate) said she was delighted to hear work is imminent and the bridge will be fixed.
She said: “Many residents have missed using this bridge, and it’ll be great once it is back in full working order. It has been a long time coming.”
A Canal and River Trust spokesperson apologise for the inconvenience caused by the bridge closure.. “After the footpath over Hempsted Bridge was closed by
Gloucestershire County Council due to surface issues, the Canal and River Trust will begin required repair works in mid-July,” they said.
“Having secured the funding needed, we’re currently waiting for specialist material to be delivered before we remove the current bridge surface and deck and replace it with a new timber deck on behalf of the council.
“A new anti-slip surface will then be put down by expert contractors.
“Whilst boats will still be able to navigate the canal, the bridge will not be accessible for other users until repairs are completed, these are estimated to take three weeks.
“A signed diversion will be in place. We apologise for the inconvenience this may cause.”
A spokesperson for Gloucestershire County Council said the Canal and Rivers Trust are progressing with the repair of this bridge.
“It is likely to remain closed to pedestrians until after the scheduled work is completed, which is currently planned for July,” they said.
“We apologise for the inconvenience caused to residents but ask them to respect the closure as it is in place for the safety of pedestrians.”
More information on these works is available on their website.