Starks Bridge, Whixall, to close for repainting work

Starks Bridge, which carries the pedestrianised part of Maltkiln Lane over the Shropshire Union Canal in Whixall, will close on Monday 19 August 2013 for up to five weeks to enable it to be repainted.

The work was originally scheduled to start on 5 August 2013, but had to be rescheduled after the contractor was delayed at another job.

The proposed work is a planned follow-on to the extensive repairs which were carried out to the bridge’s timber lifting frame during November 2012.

Unfortunately, to carry out the proposed work, it will be necessary to close the bridge for the duration of the work.

When the bridge is closed, people wishing to cross the bridge will be diverted over the nearby Dobson’s Bridge.

The Shropshire Union Canal and its towpath will remain open as normal throughout the proposed work. 

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

‘‘It is appreciated that the bridge closure will cause some inconvenience, and everyone involved will do all that they reasonably can to reopen it as soon as possible.”