Derby Evening Telegraph 12.2.10

Historic bridge repairs begin
Friday, February 12, 2010, 07:30

A CANAL bridge which dates back more than 230 years is being painstakingly repaired at a cost of £250,000 after parts of it collapsed.
The bridge over the Trent & Mersey Canal, at Stenson, was ruined when an 18-tonne tractor and trailer tried to cross it 15 months ago.
Since then, the bridge has been closed to vehicles and pedestrians but British Waterways – which manages the canal network – has now begun a 10-week rebuilding project.
However, as a Grade II-listed structure, workers are having to use 6,000 hand-made bricks and traditional lime mortar, to make it look like it did when first built in 1777.
Alex Lee, project manager for British Waterways, said: "We are repairing it now in an identical way to how it would have been constructed originally.
"It has to look like it did previously, so the colour and style of the bricks and mortar have to be approved by a conservation officer.
"Part of the original bridge is being kept and we're using materials recovered from the collapse wherever we can.
"When we're finished it should last another 200 years."
The restoration of the listed structure – which is known as Bridge 20 – is being managed by contractor May Gurney.
It has arranged for thousands of kiln-fired bricks similar to the ones used to create the bridge – which was built to carry horse and cart rather than motor vehicles.
Bespoke sandstone copings have also been produced to rebuild the bridge parapet, while lime mortar – very different from modern cement mixes – is being used.
It can only be set in certain temperatures, which has proven difficult in the sub-zero weather this week.
This time the bridge deck will be reinforced with concrete to enable it to carry heavier loads and help prevent a similar collapse in the future.
The bridge, which was damaged in October 2008, should be able to reopen at the end of March or early April.
It was not possible to close the canal for the work earlier as it is popular with boaters in the warmer seasons.
Mr Lee said: "We can do major engineering work in the winter period without disrupting boaters.
"This is the first winter we've had to get it repaired."
Along with fixing the bridge, workers will also replace concrete "patch-up" repairs carried out on brickwork up to 60 years ago.
When work is finished, a temporary footbridge that was constructed close to the site to ensure walkers could continue using the canal will be removed.
Eddie Quinn, manager for May Gurney, said: "We're working to ensure the bridge is restored as quickly as possible, while taking great care to respect the history and heritage of the original structure."
Each year British Waterways carries out maintenance works to hundreds of structures including lock gates, bridges and aqueducts across 2,200 miles of canals and rivers.