WORK will start in the summer on a new river bridge on Exmoor, which this year is celebrating the 70th anniversary of being designated as a national park.

Great Bradley Bridge, on the River Barle, is being funded by donations to the national park authority’s ‘CareMoor for Exmoor’ charity appeal.

The 17-span, 92-feet-long bridge, which is costing £120,000, will be part of a footpath between Tarr Steps and Withypool, on the long-distance walking route known as the Two Moors Way.

Part of the route near the River Barle has been heavily eroded by flooding, and Great Bradley Bridge will re-route walkers safely to the other side.

Financial support for the project has also come from the British Mountaineering Council, the Graham Keene Foundation, West Somerset and Exmoor Bridleways Association (WSEBA), as well as a local landowner.

WSEBA chairman Amanda Hamley said: “We are hugely supportive of the project and are delighted to be able to make a donation towards its construction

“The bridge will make an enormous difference to walkers and horse riders, enabling them to cross the river safely all year round, and joining up access to the bridleway networks for riders to enjoy.”

A computer-generated image of how the Great Bradley Bridge on Exmoor will look.
A computer-generated image of how the Great Bradley Bridge on Exmoor will look. IMAGE: ENPA. ( )

Park authority chief executive Sarah Bryan said: “We are delighted to see work beginning on this project.

“The new Great Bradley Bridge will be a crucial link in this route, making it easier for hikers and riders to explore the beautiful landscape.

“It will help to boost tourism in the region and support local businesses, but, importantly, it will also protect local wildlife.

“The bridge will help reduce erosion and reduce disturbance to important habitats full of local wildlife from otters to pied flycatchers.

“We just want to say thank you to all the amazing people and organisations who have supported us with donations and helped get this project off the ground.

“While we have secured sufficient funding to make a start, we are not quite over the line yet and we would encourage those who love Exmoor to consider a small contribution to maximise this great opportunity for people and nature.”

Ms Bryan said the authority was making a last push to encourage fund-raising to complete the bridge and improve connecting paths.

The site of the Great Bradley Bridge crossing on the River Barle, on Exmoor.
The site of the Great Bradley Bridge crossing on the River Barle, on Exmoor. PHOTO: ENPA ( )

She said for a donation of £100 people could have a small plaque added to the bridge in their name or that of a loved one.

Devon County Council has given the national park a pre-used bridge structure to help keep down the project’s costs.

The Two Moors Way is a 102-mile walking route which stretches across Devon and part of Somerset, from Ivybridge, on Dartmoor, to the Exmoor coast.

The section between Tarr Steps and Withypool is one of the more popular sections of the trail. 

The Great Bradley Bridge has been designed to blend in with the local environment and reflect the natural beauty of the area.

It has been built using locally-sourced oak and is fully accessible.

Donations, ordering a plaque, or finding out more information can be done online here.