Bath & North East Somerset Council is planning to make improvements for pedestrians using Bathampton Bridge.
Bathampton Bridge | Image © Google Street View / Google 2023
The Grade II listed hump-backed bridge, also known as Bridge 183, crosses the Kennet & Avon Canal and dates from 1805.
The proposal is to put in a raised footpath on the London portal (the east side) to replace the current painted one which offers no protection to pedestrians from vehicles as it is at road level and has no kerb.
A report prepared by architects in relation to the application says the village school and church have to be accessed via the bridge and even though there is a raised path on the Bath portal (west side), most pedestrians prefer to walk on the east.
This is because there are better lines of sight to oncoming traffic, it’s more convenient for the school and church, and crossing the road on the north of the bridge is dangerous so people prefer to cross by King Edward’s School playing fields.
The new path would have enhanced safety guarding against tail swing as longer vehicles navigate the bridge.
The report says that the narrowing of the road will result in a more single-file approach by traffic to crossing the bridge: “Whilst there is nothing evident to say that having two-way traffic on the bridge is a structural issue, obviously less loading equals less stress and less wear.”
It also says that by adding a kerb and placing a slight camber on the new path towards the centre of the road, the degree of water washing against the back of the parapet stones on the London portal will be practically eliminated, allowing for it to dry and become less vulnerable to frost damage.
The planning reference is 24/02733/REG13. The deadline for comments is 30th August.
