Canal charity completes resurfacing work on Gloucester bridge

Work to lay a new road surface on High Orchard Bridge, which carries St Ann Way over the Gloucester & Sharpness Canal, has been completed.

The lifespan of the road surface on the bridge had expired, and it required resurfacing to safely allow vehicles and cyclists to cross over the canal.

Working with contractor Kier, the Canal & River Trust has removed the old road surface, made repairs to road plates and resurfaced the road with a specialist resin material.

A three-week road closure was in place while the improvements were carried out. The pavement and canal towpath remained open, and boats below the height of five metres were able to use the navigation. Now the bridge has reopened, vessels above this height are able to navigate through the bridge when it is lifted.

Neil Owen from Canal & River Trust said: “We are pleased to complete the repairs and resurfacing work on High Orchard Bridge. As the gateway to allow tall ships to navigate in and out of Gloucester, it is an important structure in the city and on the Gloucester & Sharpness Canal.

“The improvements will benefit road users who cross the canal over St Ann Way and we worked seven days a week to deliver them quickly and minimise disruption. This follows the work undertaken by the Canal & River Trust earlier this year to make repairs to the bridge so it could be safely lifted for the ships entering Gloucester Docks for the Tall Ships Festival.

“We are grateful for people’s patience while the work took place to deliver these safety works and improvements.”

The total cost for the charity of the essential safety works was over £200,000.

Gloucester News Centre – http://gloucesternewscentre.co.uk