People in Ottery St Mary have celebrated the re-opening of Coleridge Bridge this morning (Wednesday 17 September).
The structure was lifted back into place last week in a complex operation which required a 1,550 tonne crane on site.
Devon County Council Cabinet Member for Highways, Councillor Dan Thomas, and Councillor Jess Bailey, County Councillor for the Otter Valley, were among those at the opening.
The bridge had been closed for safety reasons since December 2023, after the bridge deck and truss sustained damage when struck by a falling tree.
The spans were taken away in July this year to enable three of the sections to be repaired and one to be replaced.
Due to riverbank erosion caused by the River Otter, the central pier of the bridge has been reinforced as part of the project. To protect the pier from scour, sheet piling was added around its foundations and a 200 tonne concrete pilecap installed which has been designed to smooth the flow of water past the structure.
Councillor Dan Thomas, Cabinet Member for Highways, said:
“It’s good news that the Coleridge Bridge has re-opened and no doubt it will be welcomed by everyone in the town. Carrying out this repair has been no mean feat. More than 4,000 tonnes of material has been needed on site just to provide a level base to support the crane, and that all now needs to be taken away again as the site is reinstated. Let’s not forget the improvements to the foundations of the bridge support have also been a key part of this project to protect it from scour from the River Otter.”
Councillor Jess Bailey, County Councillor for the Otter Valley, said:
“It’s excellent news that Coleridge Bridge is back in action, particularly as the project has faced so many challenges along the way. I have worked closely with DCC engineers throughout and have been hugely impressed with their commitment to re-instating this key piece of infrastructure for Ottery St Mary. The bridge re-instatement means once again Ottery residents and students of the Kings School will have a safe and direct walking route to and from the centre of Ottery.”
Contractor Ultim8 will remain on site to re-build the riverbank and return the flood plain to its previous levels.
The 70-metre span pedestrian and cycle bridge was first opened in 2011 after winning a national TV vote for a share of funding through the Big Lottery Connect 2 initiative.