WORK has been paused on one of Worcester's newest bridges for "obvious reasons."
Flooding has meant that Worcestershire County Council had had to pause work on its multi-million-pound construction of Kepax Bridge in Gheluvelt Park.
The Kepax bridge project, which started in October 2022, will see a new walking and cycling bridge from Gheluvelt Park to the former Kepax landfill site in Worcester.
However, heavy rainfall that came with Storm Babet has led to the River Severn bursting its banks and the site becoming waterlogged.
In a birdseye picture, published by the county council, most of the site can be seen underwater, and diggers and cranes have moved off the site's main section.
A spokesperson for Worcestershire County Council said: "Works are currently paused on the Kepax Bridge project in Worcester for obvious reasons..."
Works currently paused on the Kepax Bridge project in Worcester for obvious reasons... pic.twitter.com/zLBGvA3p7d
— Worcs County Council Highways & Travel (@WorcsTravel) October 24, 2023
Work had only started in August and was focused on the structural bases of the bridge, ahead of works starting on the main bridge span later this year.
In March, work on the site was focused on constructing the new foot and cycleways leading up to where the bridge would be on both sides of the River Severn.
Temporary access roads were constructed, and preparatory works had to take place ahead of the foundation works.
No date has been given as to when work will commence on the main bridge.
The new bridge comes after the council was told it could not be trusted to use the money for walking and cycling correctly until it improves as part of a ‘zero’ rating by government body Active Travel England.
The rating was given to the council for not even meeting the ‘minimum standards’ of political leadership on boosting walking and cycling in the county and for its lacklustre track record of providing improvements.
The bridge project is expected to be completed in 2024.
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