Update: Cardiff Council has said that temporary repairs will be carried out on the bridge and it is expected to re-open on July 9 by 4pm at the latest.
Blackweir Bridge in Cardiff was closed until after a burned-out motorcycle was abandoned on it.
Cardiff Council confirmed that the bridge, which connects Bute Park to Pontcanna Fields, would be closed due to the vandalism while inspections on its safety and repairs take place.
A spokesman said that the council hoped to carry out temporary repairs on Friday afternoon and reopen by the bridge by 4pm at the latest - although it may have to close for a short period for permanent repairs at a later date.
The scorched motorcycle was abandoned on the bridge on the morning of Thursday July 8. The entire bridge has now been closed to the public as it is removed and assessments take place.
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Photographs show that the burned-out Honda motorcycle was left in the middle of the bridge resting against a railing. The blaze has caused damage to the floor of the bridge, as well as to one side which has clear fire damage.
A diversion route is in place through Western Avenue or along Millenium Bridge.
The popular bridge only reopened in March 2021 after being closed for over 300 days due to social distancing measures.
The council closed the bridge in April 2020, then placed huge wooden boards up in June to stop people crossing it. The bridge is a key route over the river Taff for walkers, joggers and cyclists.
It later emerged that the bridge was structurally damaged and needed repairing before it could safely reopen. During storms early last year, a tree washed down the river hitting the bridge and a fire was lit underneath the bridge damaging some of the decking.
A change in scientific understanding of how Covid-19 transmits also factored into the decision to reopen the bridge, the council said in March.
The bridge is owned by Cardiff University, which was responsible for fixing the structural damage.
A spokesperson from Cardiff Council confrimed that the bridge would be temporarily closed while building inspections take place.
A Cardiff University spokesperson said: “We condemn this mindless act of vandalism which has caused significant damage to the decking of the bridge and resulted in its temporary closure. We are working with Cardiff Council and the Parks Authority to assess the damage and to establish what repairs are required. We will undertake the necessary repairs to ensure the bridge can be reopened safely to the public, as soon as possible.”
