Netheridge Swing Bridge - Secunda Way

Update: March 2026, Lessons learned

Why the works were needed

The surface of Netheridge Bridge had worn down to a point where we needed to act quickly to keep everyone safe. Without repairs it was likely that the bridge deck would become damaged, and long‑term traffic restrictions would have stayed in place indefinitely. The bridge sits on one of Gloucester’s busiest routes and is one of only a few ways to cross the canal, so we know that any closure no matter how short has a real impact on people’s daily journeys.

What made the works more challenging

This type of bridge repair is highly specialist, waterproofing and Asphalt (a type of tarmac) layers are very shallow in order to not overload what is a large moveable bridge and very few contractors nationally have the right capability. The team needed to:

• remove the old surfacing and waterproofing,
• prepare and re‑seal the bridge deck, and
• lay a specific type of asphalt designed for structures like this.

The first phase took place in May 2025. After the specialist asphalt was installed, testing showed it didn’t meet the required standard. It remains unclear as to why the material failed, but the material laying is temperature sensitive and this could well have contributed to the problems particularly as the tolerances are so small given the very shallow asphalt coverage of the bridge deck.  This meant we needed to return to site and repeat the work, keeping temporary traffic management in place until early September.  Given the initial problems it was important that we took extra time to ensure that the contractor and the works could be completed correctly when we did return to site, though of course the team were conscious of the ongoing impact to the public. We initially used lane closures and temporary signals. Unfortunately, several drivers attempted to ignore the signals and drive through the works area. This created a serious and ongoing safety risk for the workforce and for other road users, hence to protect everyone and keep the programme on track, we moved to a full closure between 1–12 September.

How the timing was decided

We had to plan the work around several dependencies outside our direct control, including:

• the Canal and River Trust’s schedule for safely closing the canal,
• major developer works at Huntsgrove, and
• the availability of the specialist contractor, who was the only supplier able to deliver this work through our maintenance contract.

These constraints limited the windows in which the work could safely happen and of course we needed sufficient time to ensure the solution did not have the same problems as the initial works.

How we communicated with residents

We understand how important clear and timely communication is, and we’re always looking at how we can improve; and we know that any works on our highways network has a detrimental impact on the travelling public.

For this scheme, we used:

• letter drops to residents and businesses close to the bridge,
• copies of letters displayed on lamp columns,
• press releases and updates from local councillors,
• advance warning signs on site,
• regular updates on our website (Netheridge Swing Bridge – Secunda Way), and
• social media posts pointing people to the latest information.

We also set up a dedicated email address for enquiries. The number of messages we received was in line with similar large schemes.

What we’re doing to improve

Feedback about being more proactive is important, and we’re taking it seriously. We’re strengthening how we plan and deliver major works by:

• identifying risks earlier,
• building more resilience into our programmes,
• working more closely with contractors and partner organisations, and
• putting residents at the centre of our decision making and communications.

Our aim is always to minimise disruption where we can and to be open and honest with our communities about what’s happening and why. It’s also not lost on us that the timings coincided with the start of the new school year, when traffic can be particularly heavy with parents and children getting used to making school journeys again, often on new routes if they have moved schools.  Hence, we have also built in better consideration of when works should start so communities are not having to cope with both new routes and new road works in the same week. We're sorry for the disruption residents experienced during the works and we’re committed to learning from this scheme and continuing to improve our service.

Previous updates

• Update: Friday 29 August 2025

A full road closure will be in place for 24 hours per day and 7 days per week from 6am on Monday 1 September until Midnight Friday 12 September 2025. Pedestrian access will be maintained. We will provide regular updates as the works progress, and if the bridge can be opened earlier, we will advise. For safety reasons a full road closure is needed while the works are undertaken. A diversion will be in place, pictured below. Please allow extra time for your journey to follow the official signposted diversion route and please expect delays. We appreciate the impact of the road closure and we're working to complete the repairs as soon as possible. Thank you again for your patience and cooperation.

• Update12 August: Work to repair the bridge is scheduled to be carried out between Monday 1 September - Friday 12 September. Please note these are planned dates and could be subject to change in some circumstances such as adverse weather conditions.

• Monday 21 July: We are still working with our delivery team to resolve the delays to works on Netheridge Bridge. As previously advised, there was a fault with the specialist material originally supplied for the work, and we continue to work with the supplier for the correct material. We will be then be rescheduling the work with the contractor. Further updates will be given when we can. We appreciate the situation is frustrating and we thank you for your patience and cooperation.

• Friday 20 June: We apologise for the delays in works on Netheridge Bridge, we have experienced operational issues on site which we are working to resolve. Unfortunately there was a fault with the specialist material originally supplied for the work so we are in the process of testing materials and rescheduling the work with a contractor. Further updates will be given when we can. We appreciate the situation is frustrating and we thank you for your patience and cooperation.
• Friday 13 June: We apologise for the delays in works on Netheridge Bridge, we have experienced operational issues on site and are working effectively to resolve and complete the works. Further updates will be given when we can. We thank you for your patience and cooperation.
• Thursday 5 June: Repairs to the bridge are taking a little longer than originally planned due to unforeseen safety issues. Most of the work is taking place on site and some crucial elements involve off-site preparations, so if you don’t see us there at any point, please be assured we’re working 24/7 to compete the repairs as soon as possible. 

What is happening?

We are undertaking some necessary repairs to the Canal and River Trust's Netheridge Swing Bridge. These repairs include the bridge decking and road resurfacing. 

Works being undertaken

• Removal of existing surfacing
• Removal of existing waterproofing
• Prime deck
• Waterproof deck
• Installation of Asphalt

Will boats be able to pass?

The bridge will be locked and non operational for river traffic requiring the bridge to open during this time. We do advise to expect delays so allow extra time for your journey.

Work updates

Friday 12 September - Installed remaining surface material, installed mesh in the joints, painted white lines and reopened the road at 20:00:

Thursday 11 September:

Wednesday 10 September - Swept joints, chippings arrived on site, all site waste removed.

 
Tuesday 9 September - Finished waterproofing, applied bond coat.

Monday 8 September - Blasting and priming finished, testing undertaken. Started to apply eliminator.

Sunday 7 September - Manually dried deck, blasted and primed the second half of the deck:

Saturday 6 September - Manually dried deck, blasted and primed the surface:

Friday 5 September - Manually dried deck, blasted and primed the surface:

Thursday 4 September - Finished the last of the scraping, carried out edging work and cleaned the abutments: