'Dangerous' footbridge being removed

Work to remove the Goodland Gardens footbridge has begun

A footbridge deemed "dangerous" by a county council is in the process of being removed to "safeguard the public."

The Goodland Gardens Footbridge in Taunton was closed 18 months ago for safety reasons, and diversion signs were put in place for pedestrians.

Since then, its condition has deteriorated and hoardings to keep people off the unsafe structure have regularly been ripped-off.

A structural survey commissioned by Somerset Council found the bridge would cost more to repair than it would to replace, with the cost of replacement estimated at around £400,000.

Somerset Council said it is not able to meet these costs.

Assessments on the condition of the bridge showed it would cost more to repair than replace

Councillor Richard Wilkins, lead member for transport & digital, said: “The wellbeing of the public has to come first and unfortunately this bridge is no longer safe.

"With the pressures on our finances we currently do not have the funding to replace it.”

The ownership of Goodland Gardens transferred from Somerset Council to Taunton Town Council in April 2023, but this did not include the footbridge.

Taunton Town Council is now looking into the steps it may be able to take to have a new bridge installed in future.