New Pippins footbridge in Gipping Valley opened

A new footbridge in the Gipping Valley has been installed by Suffolk Highways.

Pippins footbridge is now open on the riverside path between Needham Market and Baylham.

Construction began in June 2025 and concluded in August, following a seven-week build programme managed in a challenging remote location.

It has now been formally opened by Councillor Paul West, Suffolk County Council Cabinet Member for Operational Highways, and Councillor James Patchett of the River Gipping Trust.

The previous bridge was closed after being deemed unsafe due to abutment failure.

The new bridge now is 4ft (1.2 metres) wide – doubling the previous width - and features compact earth ramps with a gentle 1:12 gradient, eliminating the previous stepped access and making it fully wheelchair-friendly.

With new abutments constructed behind the damaged originals, the bridge is now significantly longer and designed to last more than 100 years.

The bridge was commissioned by Suffolk County Council’s Rights of Way team and built by Parc Civils on behalf of M Group, which delivers highways services in Suffolk.

Extensive environmental surveys were undertaken prior to works, including monitoring for otter activity.

No evidence of a holt was found, allowing construction to proceed without ecological disruption.

Councillor West said: “I am delighted that Suffolk Highways has been able to work with the Gipping Valley Trust to install a new bridge.

“The Parc Civils team have done a fantastic job in building a bridge that will serve people enjoying walks along the Gipping for many years to come.”

Councillor Patchett said: “The River Gipping Trust is delighted to have Pippins bridge reinstated after many years of closure.

“The bridge is now wider, with accessible earth ramps which open this beautiful stretch of the Gipping to even more people.”