Scandalous neglect: The Environment Agency’s “Bridge Too Far” inaction. Our village is under threat, and the culprit is shocking inaction by the Environment Agency (EA). Two vital bridges, accessible from Leylands Lane, have been abruptly closed due to disrepair, and the EA’s response is a masterclass in bureaucratic neglect.
This isn’t just an inconvenience; it’s a crippling blow to our community. The bridges are a crucial route for commuters, residents, dog walkers, and the locals fishing. Yet, it seems the importance of our village counts for very little to the agency tasked with managing these assets.
A Vague Timeline and Zero Commitment
The EA’s communication is alarming. When pressed for details on 16 th September 2025, the Agency’s Asset Performance Team essentially admitted they have no plan:
“We cannot confirm what the costs will be to fully repair or replace these bridges. We also do not have a definite schedule of work.”
Let’s translate that bureaucratic doublespeak: There is no guarantee of funding, no set date for repair, and the bridges could be closed for up to 24 months, if not longer. The worst-case scenario isn’t just a delay; it’s the repairs being “put back and back ad infinitum.”
20 Years of Neglect, 2 Years of Contradiction
The bridges were constructed in 2002/2003, and their sudden closure in 2025 is the result of over 20 years of neglect by the Environment Agency.
What makes this situation even more galling is the blatant contradiction in their own reports:
2023 Inspection: An EA-commissioned inspection found the bridges in “fair condition” and recommended only minor work: replacing loose/rotten planks and removing vegetation.
2025 Inspection: Just two years later, a limited visual inspection led to the sudden recommendation for closure, citing disrepair and advising: “Consideration should therefore be given to closing the bridges to pedestrians until repair can be carried out.”
This whiplash closure—done without advance warning or explanation to residents—is unacceptable. It shows a catastrophic failure in asset management and a deep disrespect for the people who rely on these routes.
Hiding Behind Bureaucracy
It’s easy for a technocratic agency to hide behind “inspections,” “bidding processes,” and “budget priorities.” But their excuses are risible and indicate a complete lack of interest in the bridges’ role in our village life.
The EA failed to account for the use of the bridges by horses, despite the clear visual presence of a paddock right by the river.
The Bath Road Piscatorial Society, who pay to fish in the river and lake, are being significantly indisposed by the closure and are rightly furious.
Telling a dog walker to simply “find another route” is appalling. How long do they expect residents to wait? Will the dog still be around to cross the bridge by the time the EA finally gets around to it?
Our community will not be collateral damage in the Environment Agency’s bureaucratic shuffle. Residents like Claire Mack are already lobbying local politicians and holding the EA accountable for their actions and, crucially, their inactions. It certainly feels like a bridge too far for the Environment Agency with their inaction on the bridges.
We Demand Accountability and A Concrete Plan
The time for excuses is over. The Environment Agency must stop hiding and do what they are set up to do.
We demand four things:
- Take Responsibility: Acknowledge and take responsibility for over twenty years of continuous neglect that has led to this emergency closure.
- Commit Funding: Immediately commit the necessary funding to repair or replace the bridges.
- Establish a Timebound Plan: Create and publish a timebound schedule for restoration work, with a firm date for re-opening.
- Inform and Consult: Commit to reviewing its current practices and actively inform and consult with villagers and users (like the fishing society) throughout the process.
It’s time for our Councillors and MP to pressure the Environment Agency to act now. We won’t be punished by their lack of planning. We need our bridges back!
You can let the Environment Agency know what you think by emailing them.
What are your thoughts on this situation? Have you been affected by the closure of the bridges? Share your experience in the comments below.