The new prefabricated crossing – to replace the old Destructor bridge across the River Avon at Bath’s Western Riverside – is due to be moved into place between Monday 18th April and Wednesday 20th April 2016 (inclusive).
As part of the regeneration of Bath Riverside, the new bridge has – according to the Bath Riverside Community Facebook page – ‘been designed to accommodate cycles, pedestrians, buses and vehicles for Bath Riverside residents.’
This work will necessitate the temporary closure of the river and towpath as well as Bath and North East Somerset Council’s Recycling Centre on Upper Bristol Road. The Centre will be closed on Tuesday 19th April and Wednesday the 20th.
The Council’s other Recycling Centres in Radstock and Keynsham will be open as usual during these two days should you wish to use them. Visit the Bath and North East Somerset Council website for more details including opening times.
During the works, the National Cycle Network (NCN4 route) has been closed when necessary along the River Avon towpath between Windsor Bridge and Victoria Bridge.
During the work to move the new bridge into place the towpath will remain closed. A clearly signed diversion is in place directing users via Upper Bristol Road. It is anticipated the towpath will be reopened to the public in early May 2016.
Regular updates will be posted on Twitter @destructorbrdg/@bwrnews and http://www.bathwesternriverside.co.uk
The River Avon will be closed to all river traffic between Bath Bottom Lock and Weston Lock during the following times:
5pm on Monday 18th April until 8am on Tuesday 19th April
5pm on Tuesday 19th April until 8am on Wednesday 20th April
5pm on Wednesday 20th April until 8am on Thursday 21st April
You can get more detailed information via http://www.bathwesternriverside.com/towpath-and-destructor-bridge-update/
Catch up with the story so far – and with footage of the taking down of the old Destructor Bridge – via https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=82VLckgTIZM
And now footage – in a couple of specially shot episodes by Alastair Rzeznicki of Sunflower – of the new bridge being almost completely constructed before it is rolled out across the river!
Here’s the Architect’s document from 2013 showing its design & usage.
https://www.dropbox.com/s/izaxzk1gxxc0idq/The%20Destructor%20Bridge%20Architects%20Plans.pdf?dl=0
The residential block in the background of photo 1 has shop units (& quite a few parking spaces}. Depending on any traffic flow restrictions (it’s 2 way on the bridge) it could turn into a busy cut through for drivers avoiding Windsor Bridge/Brook Road traffic lights.