'Embarrassing' mistake means £250,000 must be spent on quayside bridge

Exeter City Council have had to find an extra £250,000 to replace the Kings Arms Bridge after a ‘cock-up’ by Devon County Council’s bridge engineers.

The bridge was inspected in and was found to be showing signs of structural fatigue and ageing and concluded its defects were irreparable.

The city council approved a £160,000 budget for the work last year, but councillors on Tuesday night were told the initial estimate provided by Devon County Council Bridge Engineers has proven to be vast under-estimate.

They unanimously approved spending an additional £250,000 so the replacement bridge meets current safety standards, but questions were raised about the ‘embarrassing’ nature of the report.

Councillor Pete Edwards, Exeter City Council leader said: “We went to county and they say it will cost £160,000, but now they want more. It is embarrassing for the council and the public? How did this happen as they are the experts and got it so wrong?”

Exeter City Council Director, David Bartram, added: “They just looked at the bridge and said to replace like-for-like this is how it will cost. But since 1972 when it was last replaced, design standards have changed. Their initial estimate didn’t take into account modern standards and failed to fully recognise all the technical aspects which would need consideration and the necessary change in the way the swing bridge is supported.”

The bridge forms part of what has becomes a popular and established cycle and route for walkers. It also serves as a quiet route between St Leonards and St Thomas

It is anticipated that the prefabricated bridge will be installed over four days during April 2019.