Ha'penny Bridge to close for 12 weeks at Widcombe

“The BANES Highways and Planning Department confirmed to me that this work could be done in a month or less if required: why must hundreds of people a day be inconvenienced for four months to - essentially - re-paint a bridge. There has been no consultation with local people or - I understand - any elected representatives.”

“Not sure why many here are bemused at not being informed of the closure when the article they're reading is doing precisely that! It's not like it's sudden - with a minimum of three weeks notice, surely you lot can find alternative arrangements?”

“First I've heard about it too, AbandonShip, and I also walk across every day. Good job the Bath Chronicle informed us as there don't appear to be any notices at the bridge. It's not too much of a detour, but good to be forewarned.”

“As do I, AbandonShip. At least we have jobs to walk to, eh? ;)”

“No it's not 30 seconds, as I said it is a 0.34 mile detour to the railway station, I have just measured it online. Given that I walk over 5 miles a day getting to and from work, I'm sure I will cope.”

“Is there not a bridge a mere 30 seconds walk away that leads to the back of the bus station? I'm sure you'll cope and that your legs won't become ground to stumps with all the extra walking you'll have to do.”

“First I've heard about it and I cross every day. Actually that's a sizeable detour - an extra 0.34 of a mile or up to 10 min for those (like myself) who normally walk from Combe Down or Widcombe to the railway station. Twice a day, five days a week for 12 weeks that's an extra 20 hours of walking or 40 miles extra.”

“I walked from Combe Down to Widcombe yesterday and had lunch at an excellent cafe. Much better than venturing across the bridge to the dreadful Southgate.”

“jdd1977, I was referring to the time taken to achieve anything in our current climate, rather than suggesting IKB built something 20 years after his death. Perhaps had attention been paid to regular maintenance, closure might have been avoided? I'm sure we are all aware that the habit of not performing necessary work to save money is generally rather costly. Also records of the tragic collapse of the original bridge seem to suggest that it was the number of people that were blamed for the failure rather than lack of repairs.”

“At least I won't run the risk of being flattened by a speeding cyclist who can't read road signs.”