Shropshire bridge closing for £75,000 repairs
Drivers face up to two months of disruption when a bridge is closed to allow a £75,000 programme of urgent repairs to be carried out.
Aston Bridge, which carries the Lee Brockhurst to Wem road over the River Roden, will be closed from May 6.
The proposed repairs will involve taking down and rebuilding the bridge's eastern parapet and part of the walls, which are leaning heavily.
The bridge's western parapet wall will be taken down and rebuilt, while masonry repairs will also be carried out. Shropshire Council says because of the narrow nature of the bridge it is necessary to close it to traffic while the work is carried out.
Vehicles will be diverted to and from Wem via Barkers Green, Shawbury Road and Mill Street.
But the council says drivers need to be aware that the headroom available under the railway bridge on Mill Street is limited to 4.4 metres.
Access over the bridge for pedestrians and dismounted cyclists will remain throughout the proposed work.
Claire Wild, Shropshire Council's cabinet member responsible for bridge maintenance, said: "This is essential work which needs to be carried out to enable this historic bridge to continue to remain open to traffic.
"It is appreciated that closing the bridge will cause some disruption, and everyone involved in the repair will do all that they reasonably can to reopen it as soon as possible."
Chris Mellings, a Shropshire Councillor for Wem, said: "This is an historic bridge of great character. We have been concerned for some time about its state and welcome the fact that repairs are going to be carried out to it.
"Clearly it will bring some disruption whilst it is closed, but I hope local residents understand the need for the work to ensure it can continue to be used in the future."
