New Footbridge Project for Bradford on Avon Takes Key Step Forward
Plans for a new pedestrian and cyclist footbridge across the River Avon in Bradford on Avon are advancing, following a recent meeting of the town council’s Sustainable Travel committee. The proposed bridge would connect Bridge Street on the south side to Bridge Yard on the north side, offering a safe alternative to the often-busy Town Bridge.
Project Background and Partnership
The initiative is a collaborative effort led by Bradford on Avon Town Council in partnership with Wiltshire Council. Initial public consultations on the proposals were held in December 2023. While the town council has previously acknowledged that delays to the project have been “frustrating” for local residents, the latest discussions indicate a significant progression is now imminent.
Funding Secured for Next Stage
A town council spokesperson confirmed a crucial development: “Council has secured funding to produce an outline business case. This has now been ordered, and the report is expected this autumn.” This business case is a formal document that will detail the project’s costs, benefits, and viability, paving the way for a potential full planning and delivery phase.
Addressing Safety and Flood Resilience
The push for a dedicated crossing stems from documented safety concerns. Commenting in January, Cllr Martin Smith, Wiltshire Council’s Cabinet Member for Highways, stated: “A new footbridge over the Avon has been much requested by the community, as there have been several reports of people getting hit by vehicles’ wing mirrors on the Town Bridge.”
He highlighted the dual benefits: “A new bridge would make this journey safer and easier to cross the river, and it would also provide some resilience in case of flooding – as the two sides of the town would no longer be cut off to pedestrians.”
Parallel Traffic Scheme Under Review
The footbridge project is part of a broader sustainable travel strategy for the town. Alongside the bridge, the councils are investigating complementary traffic management measures on Silver Street. This includes exploring a ‘bus gate’ and a contraflow scheme to improve bus access. Cllr Smith noted the complexity: “We are also investigating the possibility of a bus contraflow on Silver Street to enable only buses to travel north – as if we were to make the street one-way for all vehicles, buses would have to take significant detours, which wouldn’t be viable.”
He added that a feasibility study for the Silver Street proposals is currently underway, with a report expected this spring. “We will look at all possible options as part of our feasibility study and then decide on the best way forward once the study is published,” he said.
Looking Ahead
The anticipated autumn business case for the footbridge represents a pivotal milestone. It will provide the detailed analysis required to seek final approval and secure the substantial construction funding needed. For residents, the converging timelines for both the bridge feasibility and the Silver Street study suggest a comprehensive approach to improving sustainable transport and safety in Bradford on Avon is now moving from concept to concrete planning stages.
Image Credit: www.gazetteandherald.co.uk
