Gravity installs 'green' bridge in Puriton, near Bridgwater

The bridge will carry a public bridleway over the new road that connects the site of the former Royal Ordnance Factory (ROF) between Puriton and Woolavington to the A39.

And it is expected to be open to the public by July 2021.

Gravity, who is based on the former ROF site, is creating the bridge to allow people to cross the new road and access the countryside.

Located to the south of Puriton, the bridge will be planted with a variety of grasses and native plants, either side of the two-meter wide path, creating a ‘living’ bridge over the link road.

"Gravity is committed to delivering an inclusive project that brings benefits to the local community which includes helping people to access, and enjoy, the countryside," said Paul Lowndes from Gravity.

"The green bridge is a fantastic engineering structure and forms a key part of the vision for Gravity and delivers on our commitment to invest locally – providing a safe way to cross the new link road.”

The aim of the bridge is also to support environmentally friendly travel and leisure, and become a point of interest in the area.

Mike O’Dowd-Jones, strategic commissioner for highways and transport services at Somerset County Council, added: “It is fantastic to see the Gravity team bring forward the project’s infrastructure in a way that supports, and encourages, the enjoyment of our county’s natural assets.”

Planting will be added during the autumn planting season.

The structure is part of wider efforts by Gravity to create an exceptional and inclusive place to help drive the UK’s shift towards a zero-carbon economy.

The landmark project aims to create 4,000 high quality jobs and place Sedgemoor at the centre of the national clean growth revolution, benefitting local communities, the district and wider region.

To find out more visit thisisgravity.co.uk/community.