A FOOTPATH diversion will be in place from tomorrow (Wednesday, July 24) as works to remove the unsafe bridge in Goodland Gardens are set to start.

Works to remove the bridge are going to start tomorrow and Somerset Council are warning residents of a diversion as a section of the footpath near the river will be temporarily closed.

The closure will be in place until Thursday, August 1.

A message from the council read: “Somerset Council have instructed essential works for the removal of the unsafe wooden bridge over the River Tone and to ensure the safety of the public, this section of footpath will be temporarily closed during the removal works.”

The spokesperson also said more investigation works and studies will take place later this month.

WSP, the consultant they engaged to provide options for the replacement of the bridge, advised a topographical survey before the removal of the bridge.

The survey will take place on July 26 to consider the soil makeup, foundation depth, and other issues relating to what is under the ground.

This will tie in with Somerset Council’s removal of the bridge due to be complete by 15 August.

The reports will be brought back to Planning, Development and Licensing Committee to consider and full council in due course will consider options for Taunton Town Council to replace the bridge.

The cost of this will be upwards of £500,000 and investigations are ongoing into what grant funding may be available to support this cost.

Goodland Gardens footbridge closure background

The Goodland Gardens bridge was closed in November 2022 when the structure was deemed unsafe for use.

The findings of the structural surveys concluded that the footbridge was in poor condition with significant rot observed on multiple timber members.

In July 2023, the town council supported a motion submitted by Cllr Caroline Ellis and wrote to Somerset Council to say the replacement of the bridge is “essential”.

In October 2023, the council appointed WSP to undertake a Feasibility Study on Goodland Gardens Footbridge at a cost of £7,700.

Last month (June 2024) residents were asked to support an application that would make a footpath in the town centre a designated right of way.

The application would add the riverside path near Goodland Gardens, connecting Bridge Street to the path leading to French Weir, to a definitive map.