Temporary bridge to be installed next to shut one

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

A temporary crossing is set to be installed next to a bridge which has been shut since August for public safety.

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.

Engineers need to assess the beams and supports scaffolding to rule if the structure can be repaired or if it needs to be replaced.

Leicestershire County Council said in the interim "plans for a temporary bridge" were "being finalised".

'Time to decide'

A diversion remains in place using unsurfaced grass paths while the temporary bridge is installed.

Councillor Daniel Grimley, county council member for Birstall, said the temporary bridge would be 1.6m (5ft 2in) wide and will sit alongside the existing bridge.

He added discussions with the Environment Agency for permission were ongoing while contractors were testing the integrity of the banks to ensure screw piles could be installed to hold the crossing's weight.

Due to the location of the temporary bridge, full Environment Agency consent will be required, which is expected to take 10 to 26 weeks.

"By the end of this month we will have a better understanding if the temporary structure will be in place for Christmas.

"By constructing the temporary bridge, it will allow Leicestershire County Council and councillors the time to decide upon the best cause of action for the closed bridge," Grimley said.

The council added it had worked with Run Leicester and LOROS to ensure "minimal disruption" to Leicester Marathon on 26 October, which last year used the bridge that has been shut.

Run Leicester said "due to ongoing bridge works", runners would instead use the weir bridge, meaning runners will need to cross in single file.