A pump has been brought in to help clear the flooded Bath to Bristol cycle path near Newbridge, after it was closed over the weekend due to safety fears.
Photo courtesy of @AnalogueAndy on Twitter
Following the wet weather, part of the Bristol to Bath Cycle Path just off the A36/A4 junction flooded.
The drainage system was overwhelmed by the amount of water that it had to cope with.
The Council closed a 200 metre section on Saturday and placed signage at Locksbrook Road and The Bird in Hand, Saltford giving people advanced warning.
A pump has been installed this afternoon to clear the water as quickly as possible.
The Council say there is a strong chance that it may take until tomorrow to reduce the level so that the Cycle Path can be re-opened.
If this measure is unsuccessful it is expected that they will approach Avon Fire & Rescue to use one of their appliances to pump the water away from the path.
The Council is planning to carry out major improvements on the Bristol to Bath Cycle Path as part of its 2014/15 budget – improved drainage at this location is in the plan.
A number of cyclists had been airing their concerns to the Council about the amount of water on the path, with claims the water is as high as 50cm at some points in the flooded area.
Labelled ‘The Newbridge Lake’, local cyclists have also said that the cycle path when flooded is dangerous and could cause anyone who came off their bike to end up with injuries or hypothermia.
