WORK will take place next week to remove the Goodland Gardens Footbridge in Taunton following concerns to public safety.

Since the bridge closed a year and a half ago, its condition has deteriorated and hoardings to keep people off the unsafe structure have regularly been ripped-off.

Somerset Council says the cost to repair the bridge would be around £400,000 – and the council is not currently in a position to pay this due to its financial emergency so work to undertake the removal will start on Tuesday, July 30.

Councillor Richard Wilkins, Lead Member for Transport and Digital, said: “The wellbeing of the public has to come first and unfortunately this bridge is no longer safe.

“With the pressures on our finances we currently do not have the funding to replace it.”

The bridge has been closed for a year and a half Picture: Somerset Council

In November last year, the council declared a financial emergency amid a £100m funding gap, and is on track for a budget overspend of more than £100m for 2025/26.

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A section of footpath along the north side of the river has been temporarily closed to allow access for equipment. Diversion signage is in place and this closure is expected to be lifted by the end of next week.

Although ownership of Goodland Gardens transferred to Taunton Town Council in April 23, this did not include the footbridge.

Taunton Town Council is considering what steps it may be able to take in terms of securing a bridge crossing for residents in the future.

It has had a topographic survey of the site which will help determine options for the potential replacement of the bridge at some stage in the future. Further essential groundworks investigations are scheduled for Friday, July 26.