Project objectives, the programme so far, upcoming and ongoing works.
Our New Cut river wall stabilisation project is an £11.9 million initiative aimed at securing and reinforcing high risk river walls along the New Cut of the River Avon.
The project is a critical step in addressing safety concerns around erosion and instability along the riverbank, to safeguard Bristol harbourside communities and infrastructure into the future.
It's one of a number of key harbourside infrastructure projects that include restoring six New Cut bridges over five years.
Project objectives
- Stabilise and reinforce high risk retaining river walls long the Floating Harbour and New Cut.
- Mitigate the potential consequences of river wall failures, including loss of life, flooding, property damage, and traffic disruption.
- Implement a five-year stabilisation programme to address immediate risks and ensure long-term resilience.
Programme so far
Work started in March 2024 and has included:
- repairing the river wall on the southwest corner of Bedminster Bridge where the roundabout joins Coronation Road
- investigatory works to the river wall alongside Cumberland Road, 90 metres from Gaol Ferry Bridge
- investigatory works to the natural rock faces along the riverbank near Gaol Ferry Bridge
Upcoming works: temporary closure of York Road
In July 2024 emergency works will start to the river wall alongside York Road either side of Langton Street Bridge, also known as Banana Bridge.
It will see one-tonne bags placed along the bank of the river to reduce the tidal pressure on the wall until long-term repairs can be carried out in the autumn.
The urgent work is necessary as sensors are showing movement along sections of a 100 metre stretch of masonry wall near Langton Street Bridge. If the river wall was to fail, it could lead to severe consequences, including major disruption and potentially loss of life.
The work is expected to take around twelve weeks and will start with vegetation clearance working with an ecologist. Due to the size of the equipment needed to carry it out, part of York Road will need to close during the emergency works.
To maintain as much access as possible, the work will be carried out in two phases starting on Monday 8 July 2024:
Phase one will see York Road closed between St Luke's Road towards Bath Bridges roundabout for six weeks.
Phase two will see York Road closed between St Luke's Road and Spring Street for six weeks.
The diversions will be signposted, but we're asking people to consider their journeys through this area and to make decisions further ahead to avoid surrounding streets.
Access to properties and businesses along York Road will be maintained as will access for pedestrians and cyclists.
Later in 2024, permanent works will start to the same section of river wall.
Estimated to take up to 2 years to complete, the repairs will include:
- installing a sheet-piled retaining wall at the top of the bank to stabilise York Road
- building a concrete piled wall behind the existing river wall
- planting trees and vegetation along the 100 metre section of stabilised embankment
Ongoing works and wider programme
- Inspection of natural rock faces near Gaol Ferry Bridge.
- Minor repairs on various sections of river walls along the New Cut as required.
- Repairing Underfall Sluice footbridge, further investigations, ecological assessments, and vegetation clearance at additional river wall sites.
Key features
- Any vegetation clearance will be supervised by ecologists to ensure minimal environmental impact during works.
- Griffiths, the council's contractor, will carry out the works.