Shepherd Meadows footbridge

Background

We closed a footbridge over the Blackwater River in January 2023 for safety reasons. We did this after a visual inspection by our rangers who found evidence of rot and instability.

We commissioned a full study into the condition of the bridge which took place in April 2023. This was delayed as we needed a permit from the Environment Agency.

The further inspection and condition report by our specialist contractors, Atkins, identified significant defects in the bridge's structure.

Unfortunately, neither strengthening nor refurbishing work would resolve the issues with these structure defects. 

Closing the bridge was the only option while we look for a long-term solution.

Location

The closed footbridge straddles the boundary between Bracknell Forest and Hampshire County.

A connecting Hampshire footpath (ref. 505) and public right of way to south of the river is currently closed by Hampshire County Council.

The footbridge forms part of the SANG route and the long distance Blackwater Valley Path.

Select the What3words locator, ///eyelid.keyboard.unheated, to view the bridge location.

You can also view the location on Google Maps.

What we are doing

We are taking all reasonable steps to replace the footbridge as quickly and safely as possible, given its importance as a route for residents.

We continue to review the project on a weekly basis, with actions tracked and coordinated across all partners. 

This has been a major operation. Finding a solution has required a coordinated approach between multiple stakeholders.

A footbridge replacement is expensive, and we have been prioritising obtaining funding for this work.

Funding

We have secured the funding to proceed with the replacement of the Shepherd Meadows footbridge.

This follows our budget setting process, which completed with the Executive Committee approval in March 2024.

A significant contribution is being provided by the Blackwater Valley Countryside Partnership (BVCP). They coordinate work in the Blackwater Valley including wildlife conservation, water quality, landscape enhancement and recreation. Funding is also being supplied by Hampshire County Council.

Project contributors 

Responsibility for organising the works rests with our Parks and Countryside team, as the land managers.

The project is being delivered through a partnership with specialist engineers from AtkinsRealis. This has been arranged under our existing consultancy contract.

Ringway is handling construction and logistics through our highway works contract. The new bridge is from Lifespan and funding is provided by the key stakeholders listed above.

We are in talks with Hampshire County Council about the temporary closure of the public footpath.

Bridge design and construction

AtkinsRealis is providing specialist advice to make sure the bridge design is appropriate for the location and for the users who will be accessing it.

We have carefully undertaken various works on site to prepare for this bridge replacement. This includes ground surveys, trial holes, access planning and stability assessments. These have been critical in informing the extensive work on the detailed design of the bridge and associated infrastructure. This includes the bridge footings and banks to protect against erosion from river action in future.

We commissioned ecological surveys to be undertaken by independent wildlife experts. This will help to make sure there will be no impact to wildlife that lives at Shepherd Meadows.

We are working with the Environment Agency to make sure there is no negative impact to the Blackwater River. We will get the relevant permits where necessary.

The land is a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI). We must protect the important wildlife while the new footbridge is being constructed.

Next steps

The new bridge structure is being manufactured off-site. It will only be transported to the location once the old bridge is ready to be removed.

The current bridge will need to be dismantled and removed before installing the new structure. This will be carefully managed in a tight window of time to protect the river and its surroundings.

Our rangers will remove vegetation for crane access. They will also assess the bridge foundations by digging trial holes.

When the work begins, we will need the right weather conditions. Otherwise, getting machinery to the site will be challenging.

The bridge supplier has provided the image below as an illustration of the type of bridge that will be installed at Shepherd Meadows.

Footpath diversion routes

The footpath closure can be found on Hampshire County Council's map of public rights of way. It is intended for foot traffic only. For cycling routes, see our cycling page. 

Diversion route 1

East from the Shepherd Meadows car park along the Marshall Road towards the Meadows roundabout.

Diversion route 2

South from the Shepherd Meadows car park, over the railway crossing and then along Rosemary Lane to Blackwater station.

Timescales

We working to finish the footbridge replacement and upgrade by September 2025.

Work will be weather dependent to make sure any machinery can pass through valuable habitats without causing harm. The project will also need various permits and permissions to be agreed.

We will advise when the work is due to start, when this is planned in. This will contain information that visitors to Shepherd Meadows need to be aware of. We will update residents and key stakeholders when the bridge replacement has been finished, and the route is open again.

Blackwater River is a salmonid river. To protect the fish while spawning, we must not carry out works on the river between 1 October and 15 June.

Thanks

Our thanks to all partners and key stakeholders for their combined efforts towards this bridge replacement project.

Especially to the Blackwater Valley Countryside Partnership and Hampshire County Council for their important financial contribution.

We also thank our residents for their patience as we work to resolve this matter.