Bristol City Council has issued a press release explaining that emergency work is to be undertaken on ‘May Walk footpath’. This is the path that cuts through from Bath Road (near Three Lamp junction) and takes you over the river to Albert Road (near Bristol Animal Rescue Centre). The full press release is reproduced below.
___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
A footpath that connects the A4 Bath Road to Albert Road will be closed from Monday 3 February 2025 for emergency maintenance work. The work is expected to take up to six months to complete.
Bristol City Council needs to temporarily close May Walk footpath and the footbridge section of Victor Street Railway Bridge in Lawrence Hill.
During the recent removal of vegetation along the New Cut river walls, parts of an outer retaining wall that stabilise May Walk footpath were identified as a public safety risk. These areas have been cordoned off with barriers and fencing.
Emergency work will include:
- Rebuilding sections of the retaining wall: Approximately 20 meters of the wall will be rebuilt from a structurally sound level. Scaffolding will be used for safety.
- Resurfacing works: The footpath will be resurfaced to address cracks and subsidence.
- Vegetation removal: Three trees and surrounding vegetation that is causing structural damage to be removed. We will plant seven new trees either in the same location or elsewhere in Bristol if that is not possible.
- Minor drainage works: Drainage channels will be re-laid and the gully at the bottom end will be cleaned. Investigatory work to check if drainage issues could be affecting the retaining wall will also be carried out.
The contractor’s site will be located on a small stretch of the bus lane on A4 Bath Road near the Three Lamps junction, which will be closed during the project.
Pedestrians will be diverted via Albert Road, across Totterdown Bridge, and back towards the Three Lamps junction on the A4 Bath Road. The pavement on the May Walk footpath side of Bath Road will also be closed while the works take place.
Councillor Ed Plowden, Chair of the Transport and Connectivity Committee, said: “We understand that this closure may cause inconvenience, but the safety of our residents is our top priority. These essential repairs will ensure that the May Walk footpath remains a safe and accessible route for everyone. We appreciate the community’s patience and cooperation during this time.”
The project is estimated to cost around £500,000, which is being funded by the council’s Highways Bridges Annual Capital for 2024-2025.