TAUNTON Town Council confirmed they are “actively considering a replacement” for a footbridge that closed nearly two years ago after the structure was deemed unsafe.

The council are inviting residents to a drop-in event that will take place later this month to share input and potential proposals.

A spokesperson for Taunton Town Council: “Following the removal of Goodland Gardens footbridge by Somerset Council, we are actively considering a replacement.

“We're holding a drop in event on Monday, October 28, from 3pm to 5pm to provide information and to seek input on any potential proposals for its replacement.”

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.

The bridge was taken down earlier this year in July.

At the time, a spokesperson for Somerset Council said: “The poor state of the bridge meant it could not be safely lifted out by crane in one piece.

"Instead, the contractors took another approach which was a controlled collapse of the bridge, then lifting the three smaller sections out individually.

"This was completed on Tuesday as planned.”

The new footbridge will be a Taunton Town Council asset.

The full council, in due course, will then 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.