The Union Chain Bridge near Berwick

Union Chain Bridge work set for summer

Works will be taking place in the coming weeks on the award-winning Union Chain Bridge connecting England and Scotland. 

Restoration of the 203-year-old structure, the oldest vehicle suspension bridge in the world was completed last year after every single piece was removed, checked and restored or replaced before being carefully reassembled. 

Contractors will be carrying out finishing works to the project which weren’t able to be completed last year – including work within the Scottish and English towers, along with replacement of a number of the carriageway deck panels.  

The rigorous inspection regime for the bridge put in place by the County Council has identified some premature wear on the deck panels which are a non-structural element of the bridge. Further investigation has identified a manufacturing issue with some of the panels, so the opportunity to replace these at no cost to the local authorities is being taken now. 

To allow the work to take place safely, a full road closure to all traffic including pedestrians and cyclists will be in place from 10th June until 26th July, although contractors hope the work will be finished before this date.  

A diversionary route will be signed throughout the closure period. 

Paul Jones, Director of Environment and Transport at Northumberland County Council, said: “The restoration of the Union Chain Bridge was a hugely challenging engineering scheme combining the latest techniques along with centuries old craftsmanship and materials. 

“While it was important to get the main works completed and the bridge open, there were some non-critical elements which we need the contractor to complete, as well as some work to replace a number of the bridge deck panels under warranty. 

“It’s great to see the bridge being so well used again, and we apologise for the inconvenience, but we want the work to be done while the weather is better and ahead of the main summer holiday season.” 

The structure, which is a key transport link between Scotland and England, received around £4.5million from The National Lottery Heritage Fund in September 2019.  

The funding bid was put together by Northumberland County Council, Scottish Borders Council, Museums Northumberland and community group Friends of the Union Chain Bridge, following serious concerns about the long-term future of the world-famous structure. 

Both councils committed match funding towards the scheme, with other fundraising activities progressed by the Friends of Union Chain Bridge in support of the project. 

The scheme won a series of accolades, including in the Georgian Group’s Architectural Awards and a coveted Local Government Chronicle award for best partnership work. It was also designated  an International Historic Engineering Landmark, alongside such structures as the Eiffel Tower and the Golden Gate Bridge. 

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