New town footbridge could be in place by summer

The site where Goodland Gardens footbridge in Taunton once stood after it was demolished following an 18 month-closure

A town centre footbridge which was recently removed because of damage could be replaced before the summer.

The Goodland Gardens footbridge over the River Tone in Taunton, Somerset, was taken down last year after it was found to be structurally unsound and then deemed "not viable for repair".

A meeting of Taunton Town Council on Tuesday heard recent costings to replace it were significantly lower than initially expected.

A vote was then taken to begin the process of replacing the bridge, subject to further costings.

A recent public consultation found the bridge was a popular traffic-free route

An inspection of the bridge in February 2023 found significant weaknesses to its joists.

At the time, Councillor Mike Rigby, who holds the portfolio for economic development, planning and transport, concluded the structure was at the "end of its life".

A feasibility study commissioned last year predicted a replacement would cost between £300,000 and £500,000, around 5% to 8% of Taunton Town Council's budget.

But the town council heard on Tuesday more recent construction costs had come in significantly lower at around £200,000.

The full council then voted to commission a replacement, subject to the outcome of a full tender process.

For now, it was agreed £25,000 would be spent on design and borehole work, which would be in addition to construction costs, if they are later agreed.

Goodland Gardens footbridge was demolished by Somerset Council last year following an 18 month-closure

The results of a recent public consultation were also made public.

The overwhelming majority of people who responded were in favour of reinstating the bridge, as it was deemed a valuable community asset as a popular traffic-free route.

Councillor Caroline Ellis said: "It isn't just people living in North Town and the town centre who value this route, it was used and is missed by people across the town."

The meeting heard the bridge was used by students travelling to and from Bridgwater and Taunton College, vulnerable people accessing a health centre and it also has tourism and economic benefits for the town.

"I'm delighted that we as a town council have taken this step to secure this bridge for many generations to come," Ms Ellis said.

The council hopes if everything goes to plan, the new bridge could be in place before the summer.