Exmoor ‘Great Bradley Bridge’ building to begin this year

Funded by generous donors to the appeal as well as the British Mountaineering Council, the Graham Keene Foundation and a local landowner, construction of this important 28-metre-long bridge over the River Barle can begin in Summer 2024
A section of the footpath between Tarr Steps and Withypool, part of the long-distance walking route the Two Moors Way, has been heavily eroded by flooding and Great Bradley Bridge will reroute walkers safely to the other side.

Bridleway users will also benefit. A recent donor has been the West Somerset & Exmoor Bridleways Association. Their Chairperson Amanda Hamley said:
“We are hugely supportive of ‘The Great Bradley Bridge’ 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”.

CEO of Exmoor National Park 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 Otter 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've secured sufficient funding to make a start, we're 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.”

Donations & Dedication Plaques on Great Bradley Bridge
Final fundraising will help us complete the bridge and improve connecting paths.
We want to encourage a last push of fundraising to help complete the project . For a donation of £100 to our Great Bradley Bridge appeal, we will add a small plaque to the new bridge. This could be the ideal solution for anyone loving this popular route which forms part of the ‘Two Moors Way’ and offers families an important place to visit for years to come.  
You can make a donation, order a plaque, or find out more at www.exmoor-nationalpark.gov.uk/caremoor.

Notes for info:
The Two Moors Way is a 102-mile walking route that stretches across Devon and part of Somerset, from Ivybridge on Dartmoor to the Exmoor Coast, and the section between Tarr Steps and Withypool is one of the most popular parts of the trail.
The 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.

Comment from anonymous donor
“Well done on the Bradly Bridge replacement. Sadly, I can remember when it washed away in the flood. Making Exmoor more accessible to everyone in a sustainable way is the way forward. Looking forward hopefully, to using it one day with all the family”.