Postponed repairs to Winnington Bridge are now rescheduled

A scheme of repairs for Northwich’s Winnington Swing Bridge that was postponed at the start of the coronavirus pandemic has been rescheduled for August this year, with an initial closure needed for investigation works in late June.

Cheshire West and Chester Council and Canal & River Trust charity are working closely together to minimise disruption to motorists during the vital £930K repair project.

The bridge carries the A533 road between Northwich and Barnton over the River Weaver Navigation.  The repairs are urgently needed to avoid a longer more disruptive closure in the future if the Grade II-listed, 110-year-old bridge’s condition deteriorated further.  Without the repairs a 7.5 tonne weight restriction would be needed on the bridge.

Initially the bridge will need to be closed from 6pm on Saturday 27 June until 5am on Monday 29 June.  This is to allow detailed investigation works to take place to see the extent of corrosion to the north end of the swing bridge. 

To carry out the full works the structure will then need to be closed to vehicles from 10pm on Sunday 16 August to midnight on Thursday 27 August.

The Council’s Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Environment, Highways and Strategic Transport, Councillor Karen Shore said: “It’s very good news that this essential project is now able to begin after the previous start date was postponed at the start of the coronavirus pandemic.

“The Council has secured a total of £930K funding for this project.  This is made up of £780K from the DfT’s Challenge Fund and £150K from the Council.  This allows the scope of the works to be increased from just strengthening of the bridge, to also, carrying out painting works and the refurbishment of the footbridge.

“I’d like to thank residents for their patience and support while these vital works are completed.”

Richard Spencer, Project Team Leader for the Canal & River Trust said: “It’s important for these works to go ahead well before the winter and secure this vital road link for Northwich.  We continue to monitor the bridge structure regularly and will work closely with the Council to complete the repair project and secure the future of this key heritage structure.”

Additional closures are also currently provisionally scheduled for 10pm on Friday 25 September to Monday 5am on 28 September and 10pm on Friday 9 October to 5am on Monday 12 October closure.  This is to install additional beams to further strengthen the bridge.

For more information about the River Weaver Navigation, visit the Canal & River Trust’s website www.canalrivertrust.org.uk.