Repaired Shrewsbury bridge open for business

An historic footbridge in Shrewsbury has reopened a week ahead of schedule.

Porthill bridge has been closed since March to allow major repair and refurbishment work to be carried out. It reopened to the public last night.

But while the job has been completed earlier than planned, it is over budget.

The estimated cost of the work is £575,000 – £25,000 more than the £550,000 earmarked for the project when the work started in March.

The work has involved carrying out repairs to the bridge's structural steelwork, grit blasting and repainting the whole bridge and replacing the timber deck.

The bridge has been completely encased in complex scaffolding as the work has taken place.

The refurbishment work has been carried out by McPhillips (Wellington) Ltd, supervised by Shropshire Council's term contract consultant, Mouchel.

A ferry service run by Sabrina Boats while the closure has been in force came to an end after the official re-opening.

Simon Jones, Shropshire Council's cabinet member responsible for bridge maintenance, said he was pleased the work had been finished so promptly, despite a long battle against the wet weather for much of the spring and into summer.

"This was essential work which needed to be carried out to enable the bridge to remain open in the long-term. I'm really pleased that, despite the wet spring, the bridge will be reopened a week ahead of schedule," he said.

And Councillor Andrew Bannerman, who represents Quarry and Coton Hill, added: "This is excellent news for this busy pedestrian and cycle route.

"Finishing the work on time and in this weather is a great achievement and my thanks go to all concerned."

Leader of Shrewsbury Town Council, Peter Nutting, who represents Copthorne, said: "I'm pleased it's back in action. It's well used by the people of Copthorne but it's a pity it didn't happen a few weeks earlier before the Jessie J concert.

"I have been told it now looks excellent."