I thought that I had read that the wooden superstructure [of Wrenbury Lift Bridge] is now largely decorative, writes Mike Todd.
As the bridge operates from an hydraulic ram.
Liable to collapse
The reason that the bridge is currently closed is that the damage has left the wooden structure liable to collapse and it is for the safety of vehicles and pedestrians that traffic across it was initially stopped.
The structure can be removed quite quickly and the bridge become operational again. However, the bridge is a listed structure and before removal can take place, a plan has to be agreed with Historic England which is rarely a speedy process.
Once this has been done then what remains can be dismantled, taken away, new pieces cut and the structure re-ssembled, possibly on site.
Few boat movements
In any event, right now the issues at Whitchurch and Swanley breaches, winter works at Povey's Lock as well as Wrenbury, mean that very few boat movements are prevented solely by the lift bridge.
You might like to undertake a more in depth analysis—I'm only going by press reports—I am sure that CaRT will be happy to explain to the press what exactly is the plan!