A footbridge in Oxford has been closed to the public with immediate effect due to safety concerns.
Oxfordshire County Council has shut Swan Street footbridge, which spans Osney Stream in the Osney Island area of the city.
The authority stated that the closure was prompted by safety reasons, with no timeframe given for when the structure might reopen.
Council engineers alongside personnel from M Group, the authority’s principal highways contractor, are currently evaluating options to restore access to the bridge as quickly as feasible.
Liz Leffman, Oxfordshire County Council’s cabinet member responsible for highways construction and repairs, acknowledged the importance of the crossing to local residents while emphasizing that public safety could not be jeopardised.
The decision to close the bridge was described as having been made only after all other alternatives were exhausted.
The bridge connects Swan Street with Ferry Hinksey Road and serves as a key route for the local community, particularly families and students attending West Oxford Community Primary School.
Inspections by Oxfordshire County Council revealed structural safety issues that necessitated the immediate closure.
A temporary diversion has been put in place directing pedestrians from West Street to Botley Road before routing back to Ferry Hinksey Road.
The council has indicated that this alternative path will add approximately 10 minutes to most people’s journeys.
The closure has been implemented ahead of the winter months, when low-lying areas of Osney frequently experience flooding, including the Oatlands Road Recreation Park.