Major infrastructure decisions do not come around very often. When they do, it’s important that we think not just about today’s needs, but about what will serve Exeter best for the future.
Devon County Council is currently consulting on proposals to replace the existing swing bridge and bascule bridge on the A379 Bridge Road, crossing Exeter Ship Canal with two new bascule bridges. While I welcome progress towards replacing the ageing structures, I am disappointed that the consultation only presents one option for public consideration.
The option currently being consulted on would replace the bridges at their existing height while widening the road layout to improve resilience if one bridge is undergoing maintenance.
I’ve been speaking with local stakeholders, including the Inland Waterways Association and the Friends of Exeter Ship Canal and Heritage Harbour. Through those discussions, I’ve become increasingly convinced that we should be considering more ambitious options that would raise the height of the bridges and increase the air draught beneath them.
This is a rare opportunity to rethink how these important routes work for our city. The new bridges are expected to last at least 60 years, so this is a once-in-a-generation opportunity.
Three key benefits
By increasing the air draught, we could unlock a variety of benefits.
First, it would improve both traffic flow and active travel.
One of the challenges with the current arrangement is that people walking, cycling or wheeling along the towpath must leave it and cross the road via the bridge, interrupting traffic. Raising the bridges could allow the towpath to continue underneath, creating a key active travel route linking the Quay and city centre with communities to the south, while reducing disruption for motorists.
Second, there is the potential for more sustainable freight transport.
As Exeter continues to grow, we need to think creatively about how goods move around our city. Increased use of the waterway for freight could help reduce pressure on our roads, lower emissions, improve air quality and reduce wear and tear on the highway network.
If we are replacing these bridges for the next generation, we should ensure they do not unnecessarily limit what might be possible in the decades ahead.
Third, higher bridges would improve recreational use of the canal.
At the moment, only canoes are easily able to pass under the bridges. Increasing the clearance would allow for more leisure water access, including paddleboards and yachts with lowered masts.
Taken together, these possibilities represent a more ambitious vision for how the canal could contribute to Exeter’s future.
Have your say
I believe residents should have the opportunity to understand and comment on a wider range of options before such a significant decision is made.
I would encourage anyone with an interest in the future of the canal, whether you are a motorist, cyclist, pedestrian, boater, local business owner or nearby resident, to take part in the consultation.
Even though only one option is currently being presented, the consultation includes opportunities for people to provide their own comments and suggestions. If you believe other options deserve further consideration, this is your chance to say so.
Exeter Ship Canal is one of the city’s most important assets. The replacement of these bridges is a chance to have a real vision for the future of the canal and how it can work better for Exeter and its people for decades to come.
I want to ensure that Exeter makes the most of that opportunity, and I hope as many residents as possible will make their voices heard.
