Works to begin on the Country Park bridge

Melton Borough Council is preparing to install the new bridge at Melton Country Park.  

Works are due to start from week commencing 13 July 2026, when the contractors, Danaher and Walsh, will begin removing the old bridge from the area. 

Following the damage caused by severe weather in January 2025, the council has worked with Danaher and Walsh and architects, William Saunders, to undertake detailed assessments and design work to ensure the replacement bridge is resilient, accessible and fit for the future.  

The new bridge has a wider crossing than the previous structure, to increase accessibility and better meet the needs of those using wheelchairs and pushchairs in the park. 

Additional improvements will include strengthening of the bridge foundations, while anti-slip decking will allow water to drain more effectively in wet conditions, improving flood resilience, stability and safety for users. 

The works are anticipated to take around 6 weeks to complete, so it is expected the new bridge should be open to the public by the end of summer 2026.  

Councillor Ronan Browne, Leader of the Council said: “We are pleased the works to replace the flood damaged bridge at Melton Country Park can now begin. We know how important Melton Country Park is to residents, and we understand that the bridge has been missed since it was damaged. 

“It was important that the Council took the time to design a replacement that is safe, built to withstand future weather events whilst improving access for visitors. 

“We thank residents for their patience and will keep the community updated as work progresses.” 

 
During the works, a contractor compound will be set up in the Visitor Centre car park for vehicles and equipment, resulting in a small reduction in available parking spaces. 

The park will remain open, and public paths will continue to be accessible for visitors to travel around the park. 

A secure construction area will be established around the bridge site. Areas of the parks near the work site, such as the small lake by the bridge and the stepping stones, will be temporarily restricted while work is carried out.  

For the duration of the works, large vehicles may need to transport materials and equipment from the car park to the construction site by the bridge.  Therefore, clear signage will be installed around the compound and construction site, and visitors are asked to follow all guidance and any instructions provided by contractors to help keep everyone safe. 

This work supports the Council’s commitment to maintaining high-quality, accessible public spaces for residents and visitors. 

~ends~ 

For more information please contact: communications@melton.gov.uk 

Notes for Editors: 

• Principal Contractor is Danaher and Walsh  
• Design works were completed by William Saunders.  
• Brawdia is appointed as Employers Agent and project managers. 

This work has been partly funded by the UK Government through the UK Shared Prosperity Fund (UKSPF), which aims to build pride in place and increase life chances across the UK.