Essential work to start at Porthill Footbridge in Shrewsbury

Essential work to refurbish Porthill Footbridge, which crosses the River Severn between The Quarry and Porthill in Shrewsbury, is due to start shortly as part of Shropshire Council’s commitment to investing in the county’s bridges.

The work will involve carrying out repairs to the bridge’s structural steelwork, grit blasting and repainting the whole bridge, and replacing the bridge’s timber deck.

Next week (Monday 6 February 2012) the contractor will be on site to carry out some initial work in advance of the main scheme.  This will include removing a limited amount of vegetation from alongside the bridge and netting its underside, to prevent the scheme from being delayed because of birds nesting either on or near to the bridge.

When this advance work is underway, the bridge will remain open as normal.

The main part of the scheme is due to start on 5 March 2012 and is expected to last until late July 2012.

Unfortunately, to carry out the proposed work, it will be necessary to close the bridge from 12 March 2012 until late July 2012.

When the bridge is closed, signs will be provided to divert pedestrians and cyclists over the Welsh Bridge.  In addition, Sabrina Boat are proposing to run a ferry service between The Quarry and the Boathouse Inn.

An innovative partnership between the Boathouse Inn, Shropshire Council and Shrewsbury Town Council will be underwriting some of the cost of providing the ferry service, with Sabrina Boat attempting to make up the difference by charging people 50p per crossing.

The ferry, which is expected to operate between 8am and 7pm seven days a week, with a possible mid-morning break, will be open to everyone regardless of whether they are customers of the Boathouse Inn.

When the work is underway, the nearby businesses, such as the Boathouse Inn, will remain open for business as usual.

Provided that the river remains at typical summer levels, river traffic should not be affected by the work and the Sabrina Boat cruises will be able to continue as normal.  Also, events scheduled to be held in The Quarry will continue as planned.

The contractor carrying out the work will be McPhillips (Wellington) Ltd who will be supervised by Shropshire Council’s term contract consultant, Mouchel.

It is estimated that the work will cost approximately £550,000.

Councillor Simon Jones, Shropshire Council’s Cabinet member responsible for bridge maintenance, said:

“This is essential work which needs to be carried out to enable the bridge to remain open in the long term.  Since taking over responsibility for the bridge in 2009, its deteriorating condition has already resulted in us carrying out a number of emergency repairs.  

“Whilst it is appreciated that it may have been less disruptive to the local community had the work been carried out during the winter months, unfortunately, in this instance, that was not possible because of weather- and flood-related risks.

“In an attempt to minimise disruption, we have been liaising with local businesses and will continue to do so.  In the meantime, every effort will be made to reopen the bridge as soon as reasonably possible.”

Andrew Bannerman, Shropshire Councillor for Quarry and Coton Hill, said:

“We all realise that the bridge needs renovation.  The ferry service offers a pleasant and cheap alternative, while walking round to the Welsh Bridge or Kingsland Bridge will not add much to most journeys.”

Anne Chebsey, Shropshire Councillor for Porthill, said:

“The bridge provides a vital pedestrian link to the town centre.  It now needs this work to be carried out to ensure that it remains in place for the future.  Whilst the closure is an inconvenience, both local councils have endeavoured to make the best provision available by supporting the introduction of the ferry service.”