Councillors in Beckenham have welcomed progress being made on repairing the two wooden bridges in Kelsey Park. The repair to the Kelsey Park Footbridge has now been assigned to an officer within the Council’s Neighbourhood Management department who will work in conjunction with its Property department to enact a repair to the bridge.
It has been recommended that an independent structural engineer firstly ascertains the condition of the footbridge. Such an assessment would confirm both the best repair method to the bridge and also identify the condition of the embankment substrates and thus inform whether any additional supports, strengthening or replacement of the foundations is required.
At the time of writing /it has been confirmed that a structural engineer will be visiting the site W/C 13th December 2021 to carry out the survey of the Bridge which will also include an assessment of the smaller bridge near the information centre as this also appears to be reaching the end of its serviceable life.
This process does not seek to discard the other work that other stakeholders have taken towards this project (e.g. with prices, designs and proposals for replacements) as these will no doubt prove important later, but it simply looks to find the best and most cost-efficient proposal for repair. Once this has been completed a timetable for the repair will seek to be provided.
Options will include undertaking an assessment as to whether any temporary repairs can be made to the bridges whilst the Council progresses the project.
Councillor Diane Smith, who represents Kelsey & Eden Park Ward commented:
“I am pleased to see that the work to repair and re-open the main footbridge and assess the condition of the little bridge is progressing. Peter, Christine, and I continue to closely monitor the situation as Kelsey Park is the most beautiful park in our Borough and it is important that local people can enjoy everything that it has to offer.”
