Maintainance work begins on Porthill Footbridge in Shrewsbury
Preparations for essential work to refurbish Porthill Footbridge, which crosses the River Severn between The Quarry and Porthill in Shrewsbury, is due to start today.
Initial work in advance of the main scheme will begin today to remove a limited amount of vegetation from alongside the bridge and netting its underside, to prevent the scheme from being delayed because of birds nesting.
The bridge will remain open as normal until the start of the main work on 12 March which is expected to last until late July 2012.
The main body of work will involve carrying out repairs to the bridge’s structural steelwork, grit blasting and repainting the whole bridge, and replacing the bridge’s timber deck.
It is estimated that the work will cost approximately £550,000.
Diversion and Ferry
During the closure of the bridge from March 12, signs will be provided to divert pedestrians and cyclists over the Welsh Bridge. In addition, a ferry service between The Quarry and the Boathouse Inn will be in operation.
An innovative partnership between the Boathouse Inn, Shropshire Council and Shrewsbury Town Council will be underwriting some of the cost of providing the ferry service, with Sabrina Boat attempting to make up the difference by charging people 50p per crossing.
The ferry, which is expected to operate between 8am and 7pm seven days a week, with a possible mid-morning break, will be open to everyone regardless of whether they are customers of the Boathouse Inn.
Councillor Simon Jones, Shropshire Council’s Cabinet member responsible for bridge maintenance, said:
“This is essential work which needs to be carried out to enable the bridge to remain open in the long term. Since taking over responsibility for the bridge in 2009, its deteriorating condition has already resulted in us carrying out a number of emergency repairs.
“Whilst it is appreciated that it may have been less disruptive to the local community had the work been carried out during the winter months, unfortunately, in this instance, that was not possible because of weather- and flood-related risks.
“In an attempt to minimise disruption, we have been liaising with local businesses and will continue to do so. In the meantime, every effort will be made to reopen the bridge as soon as reasonably possible.”
Anne Chebsey, Shropshire Councillor for Porthill, said:
“The bridge provides a vital pedestrian link to the town centre. It now needs this work to be carried out to ensure that it remains in place for the future. Whilst the closure is an inconvenience, both local councils have endeavoured to make the best provision available by supporting the introduction of the ferry service.”
