Motorists are being advised about diversion routes, announced today, ahead of essential engineering works to repair Bath's historic Cleveland Bridge.

The £3.8 million scheme is set to start in April, when scaffolding is erected, ahead of the bridge closing fully in May. It is expected to take seven months to complete the work.

Details of diversions for Bath city centre routes as well as outer diversions for through traffic on the A36 can be found here www.bathnes.gov.uk/clevelandbridge

The bridge currently carries 17,000 vehicles a day. Despite routine maintenance it now needs extensive major structural repairs. Bath & North East Somerset Council secured funding through the Government's Highways Challenge Fund to carry out the work and has appointed contractors Dyer and Butler.

Motorists are being urged to pre-plan their journeys to avoid disruption caused by the closure or consider if other modes of travel around the city can be used.

"There is no getting away from the fact the closure will cause inconvenience," say Councillor Joanna Wright and Councillor Neil Butters, joint cabinet members for Transport Services.

"Pedestrians and cyclists will still be able to cross the bridge while it is closed to vehicles, so we would urge residents who are able to, to leave their cars at home and walk or cycle or scoot into the city whenever they can.

"We are keeping the bus gates in the city centre to help people get around by bus. Park and Ride sites are open for those living outside of the city centre."

The Grade II* listed bridge is a crucial link in the strategic road network between the A46 and the A36. It will be closed to vehicles for 12 weeks from early May until early August. However, it is not until engineers are able to inspect the bridge, following its closure, that a timeline can be confirmed.

Works were originally intended to take place in summer 2020, however the wide-ranging impact of the COVID pandemic has caused delays, with listed building consent only being granted in October last year. Essential maintenance on the bridge has been timed to start after the launch of Bath's Clean Air Zone.

A public webinar is taking place on Monday 29 March to explain the need for repairs and to answer questions about the scheme. Details about the webinar can be found HERE : the B&NES site