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'Banana bridge' demolition a ‘disaster’, say locals

News imageBBC A lorry passes under the footbridge. BBC
The bridge was built in the early 1970s and is now showing "signs of deterioration"

The demolition of a 50-year-old footbridge that connects crosses a busy main road has been called a “disaster” by some locals.

The “banana bridge” over the A432 Kennedy Way connects two areas of Yate, near Bristol.

It is due to be demolished in early June after South Gloucestershire Council said the cost of repairs would be too high.

The bridge will not be replaced, though the authority said it will look into whether a new pedestrian crossing could be created at nearby traffic lights. The parish council said there was "concern" over the move.

News imageA man walks over the bridge with his back to the camera.
Among those who regularly use the bridge are elderly people and school children

The council said the bridge is showing "signs of age and deterioration".

In a statement, they said "it is being taken down to remove the risk of future structural problems and to keep people safe".

The authority said the demolition will cost £150,000. It estimates that the alternative, carrying out investigations to determine the cause of the problem, would also cost £150,000 - and says the price of any repairs would run into "millions".

The lack of a footbridge will mean people have to walk an extra ten minutes each way to cross the main road. One passer-by, who uses the bridge four times a day, described it as a "major inconvenience".

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There are no signs in the area warning of the demolition. Amanda, who uses the bridge regularly, said people found out by "rumours".

"Nobody knows what they can do to change what's being planned," said one woman. "When there's £100bn being spent on HS2, it puts little things like this into perspective," she added.

A spokesperson for Dodington Parish Council said the footbridge is "well used" by the community, so there is "some concern" about the work.

"As soon as we receive it, we are sharing information from South Gloucestershire Council, who are responsible for the upcoming demolition, so that local people can stay informed and know who to contact with any questions they have".

To allow the work to take place, Kennedy Way will be closed between Normandy Drive and Heron Way, from 8pm on Friday 5 June until 6am Monday 8 June.

No dates have been set for the introduction of a new pedestrian crossing. South Gloucestershire council said a public consultation will take place before any decision is made.

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