Salmonpool Swing Bridge to remain closed for extra week
Published: 30 March 2021
Salmonpool Swing Bridge is set to remain closed for an extra week to allow urgent works to be completed.
The bridge over the Exeter Ship Canal was due to reopen on Thursday 1 April but this has now been put back to Saturday 10 April. Exeter City Council apologise for the delay and any inconvenience it may cause.
The delay has been caused by additional structural works, not visible at the time of the initial inspections, being identified during the shot-blasting of the steel on the bridge and delays to the delivery of the new decking system.
Clapperbrook Lane East will remain closed whilst the works are completed. A temporary foot and cycle bridge, which was installed over the Canal when works began at the start of March, remains in place until the refurbished bridge is craned back into position.
Works were identified following a detailed structural inspection of the bridge, and subsequent issues with the operation of the bridge which may have resulted in it becoming inoperable if left unchecked.
Salmonpool Bridge is over 50 years old and this was the first time it has had to be lifted out for major repair work. The works are designed to avoid the need for similar works for another 50 years, and to enable the bridge to keep operating safely for users of the canal and Riverside Valley Park.
The works involve repairing and repainted the bridge, with new decking and railings installed before being lifted back into place.
Once the refurbished bridge is craned back into place and initial adjustments made, the temporary pedestrian bridge will be lifted out and removed from site. The swing bridge may then need to be closed at times between 6 and 9 April to allow for testing and final adjustments to the mechanisms and counter-weight before the bridge can be fully reopened to all users. Pedestrian and cycle diversions via Haven Banks or Double Locks will be put in place whilst the bridge is closed to pedestrians.
The Swing Bridge and Clapperbrook Lane East is set to reopen to traffic on Saturday 10 April.
During the extended work canoeists and kayakers will still be able to paddle along the canal through the works area, although again there will be occasional temporary restrictions whilst craning works take place. Larger craft will be unable to pass up and down the canal at this point, as the temporary pedestrian bridge is a fixed structure.