Bea SwallowWest of England

North Somerset Council The ageing Winterstoke Road Bridge, which is a yellow and green metal structure with heavy rust damage. It stretches over a railway track beside some fields and houses on the other side. — Winterstoke Road Bridge was built in the early 1940s and is now reaching the end of its safe lifespan

A historic bridge which played a vital role in a town’s war effort will be demolished when the railway tracks fall quiet on Christmas Day.

Winterstoke Road Bridge in Weston-super-Mare, Somerset, was built in 1941 to provide access to the RAF’s aeroplane production factory in Oldmixon.

North Somerset Council said due to its age, “it is now approaching a condition where, if not replaced, it would have to permanently close within five to 10 years”.

It is being replaced with an £11m new bridge, which will stretch over a mainline railway between Bristol and Taunton, and is scheduled to open in spring 2027.

Winterstoke Road Bridge closed to traffic at the end of November, with pedestrians able to use a replacement bridge.

The old bridge is demolished on Christmas Day to coincide with seasonal railway closures.

The 31m by 12m (101 x 31ft) structure was originally built to help support the country’s aviation industry

North Somerset Council The view of the rusting green bridge from below, showing it stretching across a railway track with grey shingled stones. There are grassy verges on either side of the track, with various bushes and a cluster of tall pink flowers growing on the left. — The 31m by 12m (101 x 31ft) structure was originally built to help support the country’s aviation industry

Councillor Mike Bell, council leader, described the road and foot crossing as a “mainstay” for communities.

“In recent years the bridge has enabled around 20,000 journeys each day, testament to the part it plays in our local transport network,” he added.

“It is a crucial route, which is why it’s important that the ageing bridge is replaced with one built to last for the next 120 years.”

A temporary footbridge has been installed over the railway, ensuring safe non-vehicle access during the main works

North Somerset Council An aerial view of the bridge, railway and surrounding area. There are areas marked out in red showing where the bridge will be replaced, and a red dotted line parallel to it showing where a temporary footbridge will be in place during the main demolition and construction works. — A temporary footbridge has been installed over the railway, ensuring safe non-vehicle access during the main works

The new bridge will include improved pedestrian and cycle access, and support heavier traffic by removing the current 7.5 tonne weight restriction – allowing buses, emergency vehicles, and larger goods vehicles to use the route again.

Octavius Infrastructure and the council are delivering the £11m replacement project, which is mainly funded by the Ministry of Defence.

Councillor John Crockford-Hawley, the authority’s heritage champion, added: “The wartime stories of Winterstoke Road, the factories and the iconic Bristol Beaufighter will live on in the pages of our rich local history.”

During World War Two, Oldmixon was chosen as one of three locations in Weston to expand aeroplane production, and in 1941 the factory’s first Bristol Beaufighter aircraft took to the air.

The bridge opened to public traffic after the war.

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