Swing bridge reopens after emergency repairs

The bridge closed on 1 September for emergency repairs

A major swing bridge that was shut for emergency repairs has reopened after 12 days.

The Netheridge Swing Bridge, which carries Secunda Way over the canal in Hempsted, reopened on Friday evening.

The repairs coincided with the closure of the nearby pedestrian Lower Hempsted Bridge, with local residents saying the double closure had left them cut off.

Gloucestershire Highways said it "deeply regret" the inconvenience caused, adding that works on Lower Hempsted Bridge, which has been shut since April, will finish on 19 September.

The swing bridge was closed to fix the bridge decking and resurfacing.

In a statement, Gloucestershire Highways added that the "resilience and cooperation" of residents and businesses in Hempsted and surrounding areas "meant a great deal to our teams working around the clock to complete the repairs safely and swiftly".