Is a flying balcony bridge the answer at the Castle Mill boatyard? Watch the video

First published in News Last updated by Matt Oliver, Reporter covering North Oxford, Jericho and Summertown. Call me on 01865 425498

A FLYING balcony bridge connecting the planned boatyard in Jericho with Rewley Road has been suggested by an Oxford business owner.

Landscape architect John Keyes said the design would remove the need for a swing bridge that is part of plans to redevelop the Castle Mill boatyard.

The swing bridges position has divided community groups and the Canal & River Trust, which raised concerns about safety.

But Mr Keyes, a boater and owner of Walton Bridge Moorings, off Walton Well Road, said: This idea would join the bridge with the rest of the development and bring more people into it.

The 20m boatyard redevelopment, approved earlier this month by councillors, would see a public square created between St Barnabas Church and the Oxford Canal. It would be bordered on its north side by a community centre and boatyard, which Mr Keyes said could be linked with a fixed bridge.

His idea, detailed in a CGI video, involves building a bridge from Rewley Road across Castle Mill Stream and the canal.

It would join with the community centres first floor and include a ramp to Canal Street for disabled access, not provided by an existing temporary bridge next to the site.

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Mr Keyes, an architect of 17 years, said: It would make the bridge part of the community centre and the boatyard and open up a new space.

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Is a flying balcony bridge the answer at the Castle Mill boatyard? Watch the video