The proposed new bridge over the River Avon linking Keynsham and Hanham has been given the seal of approval by Bath & North East Somerset Council planners.
How the new bridge could look | Image © Moxon Architects / Buro Happold
The river is the border between B&NES to the south and South Gloucestershire to the north.
Both B&NES Council and South Gloucestershire Council (SGC) share jurisdiction over the project.
Buro Happold (lead consultant) and Moxon Architects have designed the bridge, which will be for pedestrians, cyclists, wheelchair users and horses and will cross the river near Durley Lane.
The bridge, with floodplains either side, will span 40 metres and be between about nine and 12 metres above ground at varying points.
It is part of the WaterSpace Connected project, aimed at enhancing the river corridor between Bristol and Bath.
The development phase of the project has been primarily funded by the West of England Mayoral Combined Authority (WECA). Taylor Wimpey is contributing towards the cost of building the bridge as part of its redevelopment of the former Cadbury’s site at Somerdale.
B&NES Council received 41 comments of support for the bridge proposals and four objections, which highlighted concerns including the impact to the Somerdale floodplain and that the path in the Somerdale estate and onward routes need improvements.
The council’s flooding and drainage team raised no objection.
The Environment Agency did not object to the principle of development but did initially ask for greater clarity about the flood risk posed by the new bridge. Additional modelling demonstrated that the risk would not be significantly increased.
The Canal & River Trust also raised no objection but said that to ensure the bridge does not impede navigation during the installation phase, its code of practice should be followed.
The route from Keynsham to the proposed bridge is along public footpath BA27/87 and although B&NES Council’s public rights of way team raised no objection to the new bridge, they noted that the footpath is not designated for use by cyclists or equestrians so additional public rights will be required to upgrade the public footpath to a bridleway.
The bridge will have no permanent lighting, and it is considered it will not have a significant effect on bats. The site is within the River Avon Site of Nature Conservation Interest which is a supporting feature of the Bath & Bradford on Avon Bat Special Area of Conservation.
A survey revealed 13 species were recorded commuting and foraging within and surrounding the site.
SGC said in its submission to B&NES that the primary issue in planning terms is the potential impact on the Green Belt but there is “clear and convincing rationale” for the bridge as it would encourage access into the countryside, link to wider strategic transport (the Bristol & Bath Railway Path) and promote more sustainable modes of pedestrian access.
SGC is yet to make a decision on plans for a new multi-user to link with the new bridge. An existing public right of way – the River Avon Trail – is unpaved from the point it leaves The Chequers Inn car park at Ferry Road. The “all-weather” path will be constructed from reinforced concrete and textured to reduce slipping by horses.
