Purpose

Pero’s pedestrian footbridge was constructed in 1999 and links Narrow Quay to the East, to Bordeaux Quay to the West, over the Floating Harbour at the cascade steps. The footbridge is a simply supported bridge with simply supported fixed side spans to the quays with a central lifting ram type rolling bascule middle lifting span to allow for shipping. The bridge is not an Adopted footpath and is owned and maintained by the City Docks, but is cyclically inspected by the Bridges and Highway Structures Team. The bridge had a programmed Principal Inspection on the 19th July 2025, which raised major structural issues that now require an urgent structural assessment to be carried out to determine the work required to return the bridge to normal operation.

On 17 March 2026, the Harbour Committee unanimously voted in favour to approve the request to spend £1,350,000 to repair the defects found with Pero’s Bridge, allowing it to be brought back into full, unrestricted use by the public. On 13 July 2026, The Capital Investment Board reinforced this decision by releasing this £1,350,000 to the Pero's Bridge Repairs Capital Project Code, plus an additional £160,000 from Highways Residual that was reallocated to this project.

A procurement process has been undertaken through the Highways Asset Management and Civils Framework 2025-2029, Lot 8: Structural and Steel Maintenance, Repairs and Reconstruction Works to Bridges and Highway Retaining Wall Structures (contracts valued over £500,000, excluding VAT). It is proposed that Walters U.K. Limited be appointed under NEC Option E.

On 13 August during a routine maintenance check the bridge failed a lift test and sustained significant damage. The bridge has been closed to both pedestrians and vessels passage beneath since then. The middle section is currently geometrically wedged at an angle and of unknown stability and will be removed with the rest of the bridge and taken by barge to Albion Dry Dock ahead of the repairs as an ‘Extreme and Unavoidable Urgency’. The planned project to repair the bridge will progress as planned, but the work will be brought forward to avoid extended closure of the bridge.

Decision

Approval to award a contract to Walters U.K Limited to repair Pero’s Bridge up to total budget envelope, allowing it to be brought back into full, unrestricted use by the public.

Alternative options considered

Do nothing: This is not an option as the bridge is currently not stable, not in working order and in need of urgent repairs.