Celebration for Stenson bridge

Published: Monday, 27 September 2010

A LOCAL group is to celebrate the opening of the bridge at Stenson over the Trent & Mersey Canal that was repaired in February.

Regular readers will remember that it was a tractor and trailer that, attempting to cross the narrow  bridge last year, crashed through the wall putting it out of action for pedestrians.

Findern Footpaths Group will be marking the completion of the project with an event at the bridge this Saturday, 2nd October, with various local councillors and Darren Green, waterway manager for British Waterways present.

Councillor Neil Atkin explained:

"The bridge forms an important part of the area's history and heritage and it is well used by dog walkers and local residents.  The restoration has been dealt with extremely sympathetically and will ensure people can enjoy the area's beautiful canalside environment for generations to come."

However, contributors to NbW were very scathing that the rebuilding of the wall was turned into a very expensive operation costing £250,000, with instead of the same bricks and parapet being reused special material was brought in turning it into a major operation, as Ralph Freeman's photograph shows.

Members of the public are invited to attend the event at 11.30am.