Restored Big Lock footbridge reinstalled

Published: Wednesday, 16 June 2021

THE old footbridge over Big Lock at Middlewich has been restored and is back in place

The bridge was in an unsafe condition and was taken away for restoration and was lowered into position this week, Alfred Overton reports.

Big LockFootbridgeVarious agencies

Spanning the Trent & Mersey Canal the bridge was restored at a cost of £330,000, met by various agencies, including Canal & River Trust.

Onlookers cheered as the bridge was craned back into its original position, with a ceremonial ribbon cut to mark the occasion.

Closed two years ago

The original footbridge, that was supported by the old bullhead railway rails, had to be closed just under two years ago, with a temporary pedestrian crossing installed.

It was in June last year, that a special cradle was created to lift the old bridge onto a low loader and transport it to a specialist firm for grit blasting, followed by its restoration.