Quay bridge replacement 'not ruled out'

The wait to replace a well-known former bridge at Exeter’s quay is likely to go on after it was left off the city council’s proposed new budget.

The wooden Mallison Bridge, originally built in 1984 and named after a professor who left his money to the city, closed in 2018 because of safety concerns after its timbers rotted. It was torn down in 2020.

As a result, a small alleyway next to Commercial Road is currently the only way for pedestrians and cyclists to access the main part of the quay from the popular Cricklepit Suspension Bridge.

Planning permission for a replacement pedestrian and cycle bridge was given in December 2018. However the project has been delayed because of a lack of cash and is not part of Exeter’s capital programme for the next financial year.

Opposition leader Diana Moore (Green, St David’s) criticised the omission. “There was a very clear commitment when the bridge was removed for safety reasons that it would be replaced. It’s a really important part of the infrastructure on the quay.

“And not only just in the local area. It joins up the cycling and walking route from Exe Bridges all the way around the river.”

She admitted it’s not an “urgent project” but added: “We are dealing with a backlog of repairs, particularly to bridges, that have accumulated over the last ten years because of neglect and now the chickens are coming home to roost because they all have to be paid for, so only the urgent stuff is going to be done.

“A lot of people really value and use this bridge and its loss has had a real impact,” Cllr Moore claimed. “People get funnelled down a narrow alleyway, which has people walking in both directions, cycling, people in wheelchairs or pushing buggies.

“It’s too narrow a space to funnel everybody in, and also then it pushes everybody out onto the road rather than actually allowing people to walk around the quay which is what it used to do.”

“I actually still get quite a lot of letters about it and people asking about it, because there was a very clear commitment made that it will be replaced.”

In response, city council leader Phil Bialyk (Labour, Exwick) acknowledged Cllr Moore “sees this as a major priority” but said his team “need to look at the city as a whole and the priorities.”

“Of course, she is right about the maintenance of bridges, but you have to bear in mind that over the years we have seen a reduction in government funding of more than 60 pence in every pound.

“Consequently, we are now having to make efficiency savings of £3.7 million – a 15 per cent cut to the budget – with more to follow over the coming years,” he explained, describing these as “difficult choices.”

Cllr Bialyk defended the council’s investment in the area, saying it had given “very generous grants to St David’s Community Centre” and had made a “major contribution” towards the Environment Agency’s flood relief scheme on the quay.

He also rejected Cllr Moore’s ‘chickens coming home to roost’ comment about the backlog of repairs, claiming “central government has caused most of these problems whilst we continue to do our best for Exeter.”

“I would like to see the Mallison Bridge repaired,” he said, “although I as an Exeter person recognise that it has only been there for around 30 years. There are problems but it is a case of priorities. The reduced council budget will go before all councillors and I have not yet heard of any alternatives.”

However, the council leader did not rule out replacing the bridge in future: “I am always open to engagement with the community to see what priorities they have and if it was considered a priority I would re-evaluate.”

Cllr Bialyk added the council has “an opportunity with the redevelopment of Haven Banks and also Water Lane, to have a fresh look at the needs of that area and the possibility of making contributions towards local infrastructure,” something Cllr Moore supports.

“We would want to replace the bridge and what I have been suggesting to the leader of the council is that this bridge goes on the list for investment in community infrastructure,” she said.

Councillors will vote on the 2023/24 budget later this month.

Ollie Heptinstall, local democracy reporter.