Acton Swing Bridge reopens after £1.5 million repairs

[Ray T]

PRESS RELEASE

Acton Swing Bridge in Cheshire reopens after £1.5 million repair project 

 Acton Swing Bridge, near Northwich, is due to reopen on Wednesday 19 July after a six month, £1.5 million programme to repair and strengthen the bridge deck.

 The 84-year old bridge, which is cared for by the Canal & River Trust charity, carries the busy A49 road over the River Weaver Navigation. The vital refurbishment work has been funded by Cheshire West and Chester Council.

 Clive Mitchell, project team manager with the Canal & River Trust, said: “We’re delighted to have the bridge back in good condition and ready to reopen. The essential repairs will safeguard the bridge for many years to come. Once the road surface was removed it was clear that the steelwork needed more repairs than anticipated, but these have now been completed and we’re looking forward to the bridge fully reopening on schedule.

 “As well as strengthening works to the underside of the bridge, a new waterproofing layer has been applied to the bridge deck and this should help to provide a more durable road surface for the future.”

 The Council’s Cabinet Member for Environment, Councillor Karen Shore added: “This project has shown excellent partnership working between the Canal & River Trust and the Council.  The bridge is now refurbished and ready for the thousands of vehicles that use this vital route every day.

 “The Council is committed to ongoing investment in our highway network and provided the full funding for these repairs, which will safeguard the bridge for many years to come.”

 The Trust and the Council tried hard to reduce traffic disruption to a minimum during the project. They managed to keep the bridge open during the work by dividing the project in half, enabling one lane to be kept open for vehicles, controlled by traffic lights. At busy times, these were manually operated to allow the smoothest possible traffic flow in both directions. From 19 July, the refurbished bridge will return to two free-flowing lanes of traffic.

 For more information about the work of the Canal & River Trust charity, or to donate or volunteer, please go to the website www.canalrivertrust.org.uk.

  ENDS

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