Lucy Wood reports…
THE Canal & River Trust has completed a six-week programme of repairs to Sellars Swing Bridge, which carries Sellars Road over the Gloucester & Sharpness Canal.
The increased weight in vehicles over the years had taken a toll on the condition of the bridge, which dates to the 1950s.
The repairs were needed to strengthen it for future use, while also making improvements to road plates that had been causing high levels of noise when vehicles used it to cross the canal.
It is one of 18 swing bridges along the canal that are important for maintaining navigation, especially for tall-sided vessels, including the ships that visit the canal for the Tall Ships Festival.
Molly Richards, from the trust, said: “We have been able to successfully complete repairs that will futureproof the bridge for many years to come.
“New parapet timbers have been installed to replace the handrails on both sides and on the bridge’s approach. A team from Sharpness Shipyard have completed the refurbishment of the winding mechanism that will make it easier to open and close the bridge to allow tall vessels to go through.
“We have replaced the road plates which will help lower the noise when vehicles go across, made repairs to where concrete had corroded on the nose of the bridge and also corrected its balance, so it doesn’t move when weight is put on it by vehicles.”
She added: “We are grateful for the patience of local people, boaters, drivers, cyclists and pedestrians for the disruption while the works were taking place. Our work has given us the chance to reopen a stronger, safer and more resilient bridge.”
