Kepax Bridge in Gheluvelt Park gets the green light by WCCC

Trees and vegetation were first moved to make way for the Kepax bridge in January, but the construction work has only been approved by the Worcestershire County Council Cabinet on Thursday, September 22. 

WORK: Work has been carrying on behind the scenes at Gheluvelt Park ahead of the contractors being appointed to construct the bridge itself (Image: WORK: Work has been carrying on behind the scenes at Gheluvelt Park ahead of the contractors being a)

The new Kepax Bridge will be a footpath and cycle bridge over the River Severn and will cost almost £16 million - up from the estimated price of £9 million two years ago. 

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Kepax Bridge, which is in Gheluvelt Park on Waterworks Road, will run from the park to the east of the river to the Kepax site in St John’s, to the west, providing improved cycle and pedestrian connectivity to the north of Worcester City.

ASSET: The path by the River Severn at Gheluvelt Park. The new bridge would open up access to the St John's side of the Severn for pedestrians and cyclists (Image: ASSET: The path by the River Severn at Gheluvelt Park. The new bridge would open up access to the St)

The bridge will share the same width as other shared-use bridges in the city such as Diglis, Hams Way, Broomhall Way and Crookbarrow Way.

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Councillor Marc Bayliss, cabinet member for economy, infrastructure and skills, said: "It’s great that the Cabinet has taken the decision to award the main construction contract, allowing us to get this important scheme underway.

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"Once completed, the bridge will bring a major boost for the health and wellbeing of people who live, study or work in Worcester, encouraging many more to walk and cycle around our beautiful city.

"Combined with the Diglis and Sabrina bridges, the Kepax Bridge will also create an attractive and appealing figure-of-eight route for enjoying Worcester’s riverside.

ENHANCED: An artist's impression of how the Kepax bridge will look when finished (Image: ENHANCED: An artist's impression of how the Kepax bridge will look when finished)

“We have heard some debate about the cost of the scheme and it’s important to note that the previously published cost did not include inflation, nor did it include additional works such as improvements to Horsford Road or the ramp down to the Severn Way.

STRIKING: An artist's impression of the Kepax bridge as it would be seen from St John's looking toward Gheluvelt Park (Image: STRIKING: An artist's impression of the Kepax bridge as it would be seen from St John's looking towa)

"Since 2019, there has been significant inflation in the construction industry due to a number of factors, including major increases in fuel, energy, aggregate and steel costs.

"The sources of funding to meet the full costs are identified and will not have any impact on highway maintenance budgets."