Bristol's Banana Bridge to close for up to 18 months for £2m restoration works

A footbridge in Bristol is set to close for up to 18 months for £2m restoration works.

Langton Street Bridge, also known as the Banana Bridge, is due to temporally close for repairs from May 13.

The length of the repairs will depend on what condition the bridge is in upon further detailed inspection, the council says, which is only possible when the full structure can be accessed once it is closed.

Built in 1883, the Grade II listed iron and steel footbridge spans the New Cut of the River Avon between Bedminster Bridge and Bath Bridge.

The closure marks the the next phase of Bristol City Council’s £16m investment to restore six New Cut bridge

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Councillor Don Alexander, cabinet member for transport, said: “I’m pleased that restoration work will be getting underway on Langton Street Bridge soon.

"The historic footbridge is corroded and needs structural work to safeguard it for future generations.

"It is part of Bristol’s history and this will be the first time it’s had any major works, other than general maintenance, since 1884.

“We aim to complete the works as quickly as possible.

"I would like to thank everyone for their continued patience while we progress with our rolling programme of repairs to our New Cut bridges.”

The Langton Street Bridge repairs will be carried out by the council’s contractor, Griffiths.

The work will include include removing the surface, repairing the steel structure and masonry abutments (the structures that support the bridge), and repainting the bridge.

The restoration will cost up to £2m, which is being funded by the Department for Transport’s City Region Sustainable Transport Settlement, administered by the West of England Combined Authority.

It is the fourth bridge to be refurbished as part of a five-year programme of major repairs to six bridges that cross the New Cut.

In September 2023, the council reopened the newly restored Gaol Ferry Bridge and, in October 2023, temporarily closed Vauxhall Bridge and Sparke Evans Park Bridge for essential repairs with diversions in place.