Partial opening for new bridge.

Bath’s new Destructor Bridge – linking the Crest Nicholson residential development of Bath Riverside with the Upper Bristol Road – has now opened to cyclists and pedestrians.

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Looking back towards Bath Riverside

However, l have a feeling motorists are going to have to wait for some time before they can fully use this replacement crossing as the Western Riverside bank of the River Avon is still very much a building site and subject to health and safety regulations.

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Walking across the new Destructor Bridge and looking down river.

I had the honour today – Thursday – of being escorted ( for safety reasons) across the ‘new’ Destructor. I certainly hope B&NES and Crest Nicholson will keep the old name. It’s a long time in the installation. Remember there were a few problems pushing this prefabricated structure out across the river – but it’s in place and a fine crossing.

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Looking up river.

Love the attention to detail with a lighting strip sunk into the wood of the side barrier fencing which lights up after dark!

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The lighting strip carried in the wooden top of the barrier fencing across one side of the bridge.

This is the latest statement that Crest Nicholson have issued on the subject.

‘We anticipate that the link between the Bath Riverside development and the Upper Bristol Road over the new bridge will be open to cyclists and pedestrians week commencing 12th December 2016. There will be temporary arrangements for opening the bridge to motor vehicle traffic in the new year and these are currently being determined by B&NES.

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Looking towards the new Destructor bridge from the Bath Riverside bank of the River Avon.

In the long term, Crest Nicholson and B&NES Council are working together to determine the traffic arrangements for the Bridge given the ongoing development at Bath Riverside and the existing width restriction of Midland Road. B&NES Council and Crest will review and be informed by the traffic patterns over the next twelve months. 

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How the new bridge (top right) will give access into the Bath Riverside re-development being undertaken by Crest-Nicholson.

Whilst construction operations continue beside Midland Road, traffic restrictions will apply at specific times in this area until early 2019. Crest Nicholson and its contractors will attempt to minimise any disruption. ‘

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Stepping out upon the new Destructor Bridge.