Kenavon Drive Footbridge to be Refurbished
- Work to refurbish Kenavon Drive Footbridge will begin on Monday 28 July for eight days
- Steel structure to be repaired and resurfaced to ensure safety for pedestrians and cyclists
- Council also currently refurbishing Orbit Footbridge as part of a programme of investment in bridges
Refurbishment of another of Reading’s popular footbridges will begin next week. The work to resurface the Kenavon Drive Footbridge begins on Monday 28 July and will require the bridge to close for eight days, reopening on Tuesday 5 August.
The improvements to this route into town follow the recently started 16-week project to repair Orbit Footbridge, and underlines the Council’s commitment to active travel, such as walking and cycling, to get around the town.
The Kenavon Drive Footbridge, a steel structure that spans the River Kennet near to where it merges with the River Thames, is set to benefit from resurfacing necessary due to significant damage over time. This has created large, worn-out areas of exposed steel deck presenting a danger to pedestrians and cyclists, particularly during winter months.
Advance notices and signage around the closure will be in place with a signed diversion route following the River Kennet. The refurbishment has been funded through a portion of the Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL) whereby ward Councillors can determine projects to be undertaken. CIL sees developers pay a levy on new development to fund local improvements to infrastructure and facilities, allowing councils to deliver improvements that matter for residents.
The Council has invested £4m over two-years on bridges and other structures around Reading. This investment includes the replacement last summer of the King’s Meadow footbridge to a wider, modern structure to benefit pedestrians and cyclists, and, more recently, vital repair work to High Bridge to restore the deteriorating parapets of the 18th century scheduled ancient monument structure. Work is also under way currently to refurbish the Orbit Footbridge by Queen’s Road car park, which is scheduled to reopen in late October.
Karen Rowland, Lead Councillor for Environmental Services and Community Safety, said:
“We’re fortunate to have the River Kennet running through Reading, and the Kenavon Footbridge is an important crossing point linking both sides of that waterway for pedestrians and cyclists. We’re focused on ensuring users of the footbridge can do so safely, and a closure of eight days will improve it and enhance safety for years to come for them.
“With improvements to High Bridge and the King’s Meadow footbridge in the last year, and the existing work that will see Orbit Footbridge reopen later this year, we’re making loads of improvements to ensure our residents can get around the town easily and sustainably by foot or by bike.”