THE pedestrian bridge adjacent to the Wyvern Theatre is set to be taken down later this month as several months of demolition in the area come to an end.

In preparation for major redevelopment, the Carlton Street and Wyvern car parks have been demolished.

While workers are in the area, it has been decided to get rid of the ageing structure which crosses Princes Street rather than pay for expensive repairs in a few years.

A spokesman for Swindon Borough Council said: “This area of the town centre is due to be redeveloped in the coming years, and the bridge will need significant and expensive maintenance work in the near future.

“It is cost-effective to remove it now, along with the steps and platform next to Wat Tyler House, because the work can be included in the demolition contract for the Wyvern and Carlton Street car parks.”

Work will start on the weekend of March 19 to minimise disruption. The stairs and ramp adjoining Wat Tyler House will also be removed at the same time.

The stairs at the Wyvern Theatre end for access to the surface car park will not be demolished. Signs and redirection will be in place for the public during the bridge removal.

Over this weekend a section of Princes Street from Gordon Road to Euclid Street will be shut so a diversion is going to be put in place.

For the three days following the weekend, the area from Beckhampton Street to the bus stops on Princes Street will be closed to allow the safe removal of the stairway.

All the works relating to the bridge removal are planned for completion, including site clearance, by March 24.

The bridge removal will not impact on Clarence House and Plus One building’s operational activities.

Demolition work at Wyvern Street car park is expected to be completed by April, so the space can be made clear for redevelopment in the future.

Councillor Garry Perkins (Con, Haydon Wick), the cabinet member for regeneration, said: “The Wyvern site is the intended site for the new art gallery and museum. We had to clear the car park by the bus station to allow the Kimmerfields project to go forward so it made sense to remove the Wyvern car park at the same time.

“It will link up the town centre properly and leave a site for a potential new Wyvern but that is a little way down the line.”