Bristol City Council announces partial closure of York Road for emergency works to New Cut river wall

Published On: July 4th, 2024

Bristol City Council is commencing vital stabilization work on the river walls along the New Cut of the River Avon, as part of its ongoing multi-million pound initiative to reinforce the most vulnerable sections. Starting Monday, 8th July, emergency operations will be focused around Langton Street Bridge, commonly referred to as Banana Bridge.

Recent data from electronic sensors has indicated an accelerated movement in a 120-metre section of masonry wall near Langton Street Bridge. Failure to address this promptly could result in structural failure of the river wall.

The council has programmed in emergency repairs to the wall on the York Road side of the New Cut, either side of Langton Street Bridge, which is currently closed for repair work as part of the council’s programme to restore six bridges across the New Cut.

Please be advised that emergency works are scheduled to commence on Monday, 8 July and are anticipated to last approximately twelve weeks. These operations involve the placement of one-tonne bags along the riverbank to mitigate tidal pressure on the wall, thereby stabilizing it until comprehensive repairs can be undertaken.

Due to the magnitude of lifting equipment required for these activities, a segment of York Road will need to be closed for up to twelve weeks. To optimize accessibility during this period, the work will proceed in two distinct phases:

1. Phase One: York Road will be closed from St Luke’s Road towards Bath Bridges roundabout for six weeks.

2. Phase Two: York Road will be closed from St Luke’s Road towards Spring Street for another six weeks.

Diversionary routes will be clearly marked; however, we encourage residents and commuters to plan their journeys ahead of time and avoid surrounding streets where possible.

Please note that access for residents of York Road will remain uninterrupted throughout the duration of these works. Additionally, businesses located near Bath Bridge roundabout will not experience any impact due to this closure. Pedestrian and cyclist pathways will also remain accessible at all times.

Your cooperation and understanding during this critical maintenance period are greatly appreciated.

To facilitate access to the embankment for critical emergency repairs, it is regrettable that four London plane trees will need to be either felled or extensively pruned. This action will occur under the expert supervision of ecologists. Any trees removed during this process will be replaced with new plantings as part of a long-term commitment to permanent restoration.

Councillor Ed Plowden, Chair of the Transport and Connectivity Committee, stated: “These works are essential in stabilising the river wall and preventing potential failure in this section, which could result in severe consequences. We have previously experienced a serious collapse on Cumberland Road, significantly escalating both remediation costs and repair time.

“While ensuring public safety remains our top priority—and therefore I am pleased that these crucial repairs are commencing—the temporary closure of a portion of York Road will undoubtedly cause some disruption locally. The decision to remove any trees is never taken lightly; hence I have urged the team to make every possible effort to preserve our valuable street trees whenever feasible.

“I extend my gratitude in advance for everyone’s understanding as we undertake these imperative measures aimed at safeguarding Bristol’s harbourside assets.”

The long-term, permanent repairs are estimated to take up to two years to complete, and include:

installing a sheet-piled retaining wall at the top of the bank to stabilise York Road
building a concrete piled wall behind the existing river wall
planting trees and vegetation along the 120 metre section of stabilised embankment

Griffiths, the council’s contractor, will carry out the works.

To keep up to date with the programme, please visit www.bristol.gov.uk/newcutriverwalls.

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