CITY leaders have spoken of their doubt and 'disappointment' after a bridge building 'vanity project' hit a hurdle when a key subcontractor went into administration.

The Kepax Bridge in Gheluvelt Park in Barbourne in Worcester is as yet unfinished with one section of the structure looming incomplete over the River Severn.

Leaders at Worcestershire County Council said the bridge will be completed on time and within budget despite the setback. Work is still scheduled for completion towards the end of 2024.

Subcontractors, SH Structures, went into administration earlier this month and now the main contractor, Alun Griffiths, must appoint a new one before work can carry on.

Worcester News: STALLED: Kepax Bridge looms unfinished over the River Severn from Gheluvelt Park in Barbourne, Worcester after a key subcontractor went into administration STALLED: Kepax Bridge looms unfinished over the River Severn from Gheluvelt Park in Barbourne, Worcester after a key subcontractor went into administration (Image: James Connell/Newsquest)

Cllr Marjory Bisset, joint leader of Worcester City Council for the Green Party, said: "This is very disappointing news. Many people will now be worried about the outcome, from employees of the failed company to people living nearby.

"It is too early for the Conservatives to say the end date won’t be affected. Even if it is still delivered on time, which seems very unlikely given that work has stopped, how much more will the bridge cost?

"Worcester Greens absolutely want to see the bridge completed and being used, since it will encourage people to walk and cycle thereby protecting the environment and reducing air pollution. We are disappointed that the paths leading to the bridge that have been created so far do not meet LTN 1/20 standards."

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Cllr Mel Allcott, the Liberal Democrat candidate battling to become Worcester's next MP, said: "It is very concerning a subcontractor has gone into administration.

Worcester News: CONCERN: Mel Allcott, seeking to become the Liberal Democrat MP for Worcester, described Kepax Bridge as a 'vanity project'CONCERN: Mel Allcott, seeking to become the Liberal Democrat MP for Worcester, described Kepax Bridge as a 'vanity project' (Image: Worcester City Council)

"Kepax Bridge has always felt like a vanity project.  It is almost finished so there is no point in not finishing now.  

"My residents have mixed views.  Some are for and some are against.  I am wary of Cllr Bayliss’s confidence, bearing in mind the setback, on the proposed high school."  

A spokesperson for Worcestershire County Council said in a previous statement: “We have been made aware that SH Structures Ltd, one of the sub-contractors working on the construction of Kepax Bridge in Worcester, entered administration earlier this month.

"Our principal contractor, Alun Griffiths (Contractors) Ltd, is now working to appoint a new sub-contractor to work on the project going forward. We can confirm that we still expect to open the bridge by the end of the year and that Worcestershire County Council will not incur any additional cost as a result of SH Structures going into administration.”

The bridge will run from Gheluvelt Park to the east of the river to the Kepax site in St John’s, to the west.

When it finished, it will allow users to enjoy a figure-of-eight route along the River Severn from the Diglis bridge in the south to the recently refurbished Sabrina Bridge to the new bridge in the north (and back again).

We have asked Worcestershire County Council if they want to respond to the comments.