Park bridge closed while structure is assessed

The bridge over the River Soar at Watermead Country Park is closed to the public

A bridge on the edge of Leicester remains closed to the public while structural engineers investigate.

The bridge crosses the River Soar to the west of King Lears Lake at Watermead Country Park and was closed to the public from 8 August after an inspection picked up problems with the underlying surface and balustrades.

Leicestershire County Council said that the closure would continue until the bridge's structural engineers could properly assess beams and supports.

A spokesperson said: "Our best-case scenario is that repairs can be made quickly, our worst case is that a new bridge will be required. Discussions for a new bridge are already under way should the need arise."

Temporary diversion

County council workers met with construction contractors on 13 August to discuss requirements for scaffolding to enable surface removal and further investigations by structural engineers at the bridge.

These designs will include a crash mat system and, as such, require sign-off from an approved scaffolding designer, the council said.

The council spokesperson added: "All parties are aware of the Leicester half-marathon in October, and our team have advised organisers to plan that the bridge will still be closed by this point as a worse case."

A temporary diversion has been put in place which spans across unsurfaced grass paths.

Councillor Daniel Grimley, county council member for Birstall, said he could "completely understand the frustration of users of the bridge to see it closed".

"The safety of members of the public has to be the priority," he added.

"I have been advised by officers that a temporary pedestrian bridge is being considered to be installed here once more information on the extent of the problem is known.

"I am pushing officers to progress this as quickly as possible without compromising public safety."