The Winterstoke Road Bridge in Weston-super-Mare, originally constructed during World War II to support aircraft production, is set to be demolished on Christmas Day. Built to provide access to strategically important aircraft factories, the bridge has since become a crucial suburban crossing over the railway, facilitating around 20,000 vehicles daily.
North Somerset Council announced that the demolition will take place on Christmas Day, the only day in the UK when train services pause entirely. This timing allows the removal to occur without disrupting the busy Exeter to Bristol railway line it spans.
Council leader Mike Bell highlighted the bridge’s historical and community significance: “Winterstoke Road Bridge has served Weston residents through pivotal moments—from its vital role in aviation history to its ongoing function serving local homes and businesses. Today, it supports about 20,000 journeys daily, underlining its importance in our transport network.”
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Bell also emphasized the importance of the replacement infrastructure: “The aging structure is being replaced with one designed to last 120 years. This investment will not only maintain and improve road capacity but also enhance resilience and reliability to accommodate future growth. Moreover, the new bridge will promote sustainable travel by featuring improved facilities for pedestrians and cyclists, and it will lift weight restrictions to accommodate heavier vehicles like buses.”
The bridge’s origins are tied closely to the Second World War. When the RAF requisitioned Weston Airfield in 1940 during the Battle of Britain, Winston Churchill’s Ministry of Aircraft Production initiated expansions at Oldmixon, Weston-super-Mare. The Winterstoke Road Bridge was constructed in 1941 to enable faster worker access to a factory producing the Bristol Beaufighter, a key fighter plane of the war.
After the war, the bridge was opened for public use, and the region’s industry transitioned from aircraft manufacturing to producing prefabricated aluminium houses to address post-war housing demands. Aircraft-related industries, including Westland Helicopters and maintenance operations, remained significant in the area for decades.
North Somerset Heritage Champion John Crockford-Hawley reflected on the bridge’s legacy: “Winterstoke Road Bridge is a monument to our region’s aviation pride and the RAF’s role here. While we bid farewell to the structure itself, the wartime stories of this area—the factories, the Bristol Beaufighter—will forever be part of our rich local heritage.”
The bridge closed to traffic in November, with a new replacement bridge expected to open in 2027. In the meantime, a temporary footbridge allows pedestrians and cyclists to cross safely, while drivers must follow a diversion via Flowerdown Bridge. The council has cautioned that the surrounding Airport and Runway roundabouts will experience increased congestion during construction.
The new 60-meter-long bridge will weigh over 2,000 tonnes and requires deep foundation supports. Steel-cased concrete piles, drilled 35 meters into stable mudstone, will prevent the bridge from sinking into Somerset’s soft ground. Due to space constraints, only one pile can be installed every other day, with a total of 24 piles needed.
Before construction, utilities such as cables, gas, and water mains beneath the bridge will be rerouted. The new bridge sections will be fabricated offsite and then lifted into place after the pilings are completed.
Notably, the Ministry of Defence continues to own the bridge and is funding most of the £20 million replacement cost, despite the bridge’s current lack of military function. Upon completion, ownership will transfer to North Somerset Council, who will maintain it for the next 120 years.