Another key bridge won't reopen

Taunton follows Exeter in repair agony

A footbridge over the River Tone in Taunton town centre will not reopen to the public after studies found it is “not viable to repair”.

The news comes just days after it was announced that Mallison Bridge at Exeter Quay will stay shut because the money to fund repairs can't be found in the city council's budget for the coming year.

The Taunton footbridge in Goodland Gardens was closed by Somerset West and Taunton Council on last November “until further notice” for repairs.

The council has now confirmed that an inspection of the bridge – which was previously repaired in 2019 – has revealed there are “significant” structural weaknesses within the joists.

Officers have concluded the bridge cannot be repaired within huge expenditure – and as a result, the bridge will remain closed and may eventually be removed.

Councillor Mike Rigby, portfolio holder for economic development, planning and transport, confirmed the news in a report for the full council on Tuesday (February 7).

He said in his written report: “The pedestrian bridge over the River Tone to and from Goodlands Gardens was closed following a routine inspection, which found significant structural weaknesses in the bridge joists.

“A further inspection has taken place and we have now received the full structural report, which confirms the bridge is not viable to repair.

“We are compiling a report giving options for discussion with councillors and senior officers.”

The bridge connects the Riverain Lodge retirement community on the north bank of the river to the wider Goodland Gardens area, including the Museum of Somerset and the rainbow path which opened in June 2021.

A decision on any new footbridge is expected to be taken by the new unitary Somerset Council, which will replace the existing council on April 1.

Until a replacement is erected, pedestrians wishing to cross the river will have to use the road bridges on the A3807 Tangier Way to the south or the A3027 The Bridge to the north.

A decision on separate plans for a new pedestrian and cycle bridge downstream, linking the Coal Orchard regeneration site to the existing cycling network and the Morrisons supermarket, will be taken later in the year.