Bridge – Tamar Crossings Temporarily Suspends Maintenance Works On South Cantilever To Re Open Cycle And Footpath To The Public

We take the health and safety of all our service users, staff and the wider public very seriously. To help support the Government’s recommendations on social distancing we have been exploring how we could temporarily suspend the current maintenance works taking place on the south cantilever and re-open the combined footpath and cycle path to the public to eliminate the need for the free shuttle bus that we have been providing for affected pedestrians, cyclists and mobility scooter users.

The south cantilever was closed to the public last year to enable works to take place to replace the bridge deck waterproofing system underneath the kerbs and also to replace the bolts that fix the kerbs in place.

We have been monitoring the progress of the project very carefully since the start of the Coronavirus pandemic, and in light of the latest Government advice on social distancing and avoiding the use of public transport where possible, we have been working with our contractor to identify a safe and convenient point at which the current phase of the project could be suspended.

Works to complete the inner kerb line have been completed this weekend. While there are still further works to be carried out on the outside kerb line, and some localised work areas will remain in place, the completion of the inner kerb section means that the combined footpath and cycle path can be re-opened to the public from 6pm this afternoon ( Sunday, 22 March). The path will remain open until further notice and we will also be suspending the shuttle bus service.

As some works will still be carried out on the outside kerb, there will be vehicles, workforce, plant and equipment using this section of the south cantilever. We would, therefore, ask all users to take particular care in these areas and to show consideration towards others.

We recognise that people were concerned about using the shuttle bus service and are pleased that we have been able to suspend the works and re-open the south cantilever to pedestrians and cyclists. At present there is a great deal of uncertainty regarding the remainder of the work. We will continue to closely monitor site progress, the wider Coronavirus situation and the latest Government advice.

David List

We will provide further updates on our usual social media channels, website and via the media as the situation develops.