Residents in Tonbridge are being advised of the permanent closure and planned removal of a pedestrian bridge at the Racecourse Sportsground following safety concerns.
Tonbridge and Malling Borough Council (TMBC) has confirmed that the structure—installed in 1994 as a temporary crossing—has reached the end of its usable life after years of monitoring and inspection.
Safety concerns prompt action
According to the council, detailed structural assessments identified significant deterioration, including weakening of key materials, reduced load capacity, and movement in the bridge’s supporting abutments.
While officials say the risk of sudden collapse is currently low, they emphasise that continued public use is no longer considered safe. Closing and removing the bridge now is intended to eliminate any future danger rather than reacting to an emergency.
Closure date and removal timeline
The bridge will be closed from 30 April 2026, with physical removal expected to take place in May or June.
The work itself is anticipated to last around a week, with contractors likely using a crane to lift and remove the structure. During this period, part of Lower Castlefields Car Park will be temporarily closed to allow safe access for machinery.
Impact on park users
The bridge provides access from the slipway near Lower Castlefields Car Park into the Racecourse Sportsground. However, an alternative crossing located roughly 80 metres away will remain open.
This means pedestrians and visitors will face a diversion of approximately 160 metres—something the council says should minimise disruption.
There is no expected impact on emergency services access, which will continue via Bradford Street.
Safety measures in place
To prevent access ahead of removal, hoarding will be installed around the structure. The council has stressed that leaving the bridge in place would pose an ongoing risk, including to river users.
What happens next?
Once the bridge is removed, further investigations will be carried out on the existing supports. These findings will help determine whether a replacement bridge is feasible and how much it could cost.
A final decision on whether to build a new crossing will be made by council members, who will weigh the costs against the availability of the nearby alternative bridge.
Keeping the public informed
TMBC says updates will be shared through its website and on-site notices as the project progresses.
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