River Cam bridges temporarily closed due to 'structural issues'

Two Cambridge bridges have been temporarily closed after structural issues were identified. The Conservators of the River Cam’s decision to close both locks comes after a survey revealed a possible degradation of the lock islands.

Jesus Green Lock and Baits Bite Lock footbridges in both Cambridge and Milton locations have been shut. Cambridgeshire County Council said it is acting quickly to temporarily close both bridges as a precaution whilst it carries out surveys and assessments to understand the impact of the lock islands’ condition on the bridge structures.

The bridge closures were put in place on Tuesday afternoon (May 21). These closures will not affect access to the River Cam towpaths or access to Fen Road, Milton.

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Cambridgeshire County Council’s Chair of Highways and Transport Committee, Councillor Alex Beckett said: “We are temporarily closing the Jesus Green and Baits Bite Lock footbridges given the concerns the Cam Conservators’ survey raises about the structural soundness of their locks. We have a duty to ensure the safety of our paths and highways and we understand that this will come as disappointing news to the local communities including the River Cam community and those regularly using the footbridges, particularly with the beer festival this week.

“Our officers are liaising with the Cam Conservators, the Environment Agency who operate the sluices in these locations and City and South Cambridgeshire District Councils on both of these closures. We will be keeping the public and our stakeholders updated on our work by sharing further news later in the week once bridge surveys have been carried out. We will reopen the bridges as soon as we are satisfied with their safety.”

Alternative pedestrian routes for Jesus Green Lock footbridge are Magdalene bridge and Victoria Road bridge. Clayhithe Road bridge or the Abbey-Chesterton footbridge are the nearest River Cam pedestrian crossing points to Baits Bite Lock.

Diversion signage will be put in place as soon as possible on both sides of the river in both Cambridge and Milton to advise pedestrians of alternative routes.

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