Supporter leaves £160,000 to repair Braunston bridge

A WATERWAYS enthusiast has left £160,000 in his will to be used to restore a Braunston canal bridge.

Money used to repair bridge

Peter Andrews left the money that will be used to repair the bridge at the junction of the Oxford Canal with the Grand Union Canal at Braunston, reports Janet Friend.

In recognition of his generosity the bridge will be renamed Peter's Bridge once the work that is expected to start in the spring is finished.

Volunteers will work with Canal & River Trust to assist in the repair to the bridge, with Linny Beaumont, regional director for the trust stating:

"The intention was always to put Mr Andrews' very generous legacy gift to good use."

A new plaque

A new plaque, reading '91A Peter's Bridge', will be secured to the bridge, identifying Peter Andrews who was a late waterways supporter and local resident in Braunston.

It is expected the work will take five weeks to complete in time for the Braunston Historic Boat Rally in June.

The bridge deck will be resurfaced with a resin-bonded anti-slip surface, improving wheelchair and pram access. Meanwhile, volunteers have been removing loose mortar and crumbling bricks from the southern side as seen in the picture by Canal & River Trust.