For many commuters this morning (September 11) it was the first chance to cross Gaol Gerry Bridge for more than a year.
The 85-year-old footbridge over the River Avon connects Wapping Wharf with Southville and the extended and delayed restoration works had a huge impact on residents and local businesses.
The bridge was reopened by Mayor Marvin Rees and Cabinet Member for Transport, Councillor Don Alexander, with thousands of people crossing the bridge as soon as it was back open.
Traders in Wapping Wharf held a party to mark the reopening of the bridge, which connects Coronation Road and Cumberland Road over the New Cut. Hundreds of people attended the reopening and accompanying party, which included live music and food and drink offers.
Marvin Rees, Mayor of Bristol, said: “It’s fantastic to see how excited people are that Gaol Ferry Bridge is open again, which shows just how much love there is for our harbour infrastructure and how important it is to people’s lives.
“I am pleased that we’ve been able to restore this 88-year-old bridge, that was at real danger of being condemned after years of underinvestment. These works have given it a new lease of life and protected this important route for pedestrians and cyclists for years to come.”
Gaol Ferry Bridge has undergone a complete restoration over the past year that has seen structural steelwork, rotten timbers and the decking replaced, steel lattice work and some stonework repaired, and the whole bridge repainted.
Some of the new decking had to be reordered after a proportion was stolen from the site compound, but it arrived and was installed in time for the reopening.
However, there are some final works to take place in the coming weeks, including installing lights on the bridge and completing the pedestrian crossing on Cumberland Road between Gaol Ferry Steps and the bridge.
Here are ten photos of the restored Gaol Ferry Bridge taken by Emma Jones.
1. Historic
2. Thoroughfare
3. Former glory
4. Long wait