Member Article

Government funding for Cheshire bridge project

A £1.777m grant from the Government’s “pinch point” fund has been awarded to Cheshire West and Chester Council for vital improvements to Sutton Weaver Swing Bridge.

The grant, with a further £1.723m from the Council and £1m from the Canal & River Trust, will pay for the £4.5m scheme to strengthen and refurbish the bridge and increase its life expectancy by a 50-year minimum.

The ‘pinch point’ fund supports economic growth by tackling barriers on the local highway network that may be restricting the movement of people and goods.

Councillor Lynn Riley, Executive Member for Localities, said: “The council recognises the strategic local importance of the Sutton Weaver Swing Bridge for both Frodsham and north of the Borough and had committed to the restoration of the bridge before this grant was secured.

“The investment by the Government reinforces the importance of the bridge, both for local and strategic transport routes.

“The grant has been achieved through the team work of Cheshire West and Chester Council, the Canal & River Trust and the local MP Graham Evans, who have all contributed to a successful funding bid.”

The project began in June 2013, and after consultation with local businesses, involved the construction of a temporary bridge to carry traffic whilst work to the swing bridge is carried out.

The temporary bridge and traffic management arrangements have been well received and the scheme is expected to be completed by autumn 2014.

Andy Johnson, Manager at the Canal & River Trust said: “Work is progressing well on site and the project is on track to re-open next autumn.

“We’re currently replacing the deck plates on the bridge which were in desperate need of refurbishment and a section has also been re-painted which is great to see.

“We’re delighted to announce that we will be holding a public open weekend in February which will enable the local community to experience a unique opportunity for a ‘behind the scene tour’ of this vital restoration of the bridge.”

The Canal & River Trust is holding an open weekend on February 8 and 9 2014 where members of the public will have the unique opportunity to speak to the engineers about the works involved in the restoration of the bridge.

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Simon Malia .