Beech House Canal Bridge (‘the Red Bridge’) near Ellesmere reopens early

Beech House Canal Bridge, known locally as ‘the Red Bridge’, which carries the Ellesmere to Tetchill road over the Shropshire Union Canal alongside Ellesmere Marina, has reopened to traffic – three weeks earlier than originally planned. 

The bridge, which had been assessed as being weak, was closed to traffic on 1 July 2013 to enable it to be strengthened. 

It reopened on Friday 9 August 2013, and although some roadside work remains to be completed, work will continue with the bridge open under traffic light control. 

After completing the roadwork, the contractor will be returning to site in January 2014 to carry out work to the underside of the bridge.  Although this work will not affect the road over the bridge, it will involve a temporary closure of the canal for a period of up to five weeks. 

The strengthening work is being carried out by McPhillips (Wellington) Ltd.

Claire Wild, Shropshire Council’s Cabinet member responsible for bridge maintenance, said: 

“I am pleased that it has been possible to reopen the bridge earlier than expected, and I’d like to thank all involved for achieving this.” 

Ann Hartley, local Shropshire Councillor for Ellesmere Urban, said: 

“I have sent an official compliment to all the parties concerned, congratulating them on their professionalism.  The community has been very pleased with the speed of the completion, following people’s initial concerns at the start of the project.” 

Brian Williams, local Shropshire Councillor for The Meres, added: 

“As the councillor for the area of the whole of the road diversion necessary during the bridge closure, I am delighted that the inconvenience caused to local residents, particularly in Tetchill, has been shortened by three weeks.”