Bridge closure 'unacceptable' - MP

The bridge was built in 1926

An MP has criticised plans to close a bridge in Cheshire for 33 days for engineering works.

Mike Amesbury, the Labour MP for Runcorn and Helsby, said the decision to close the Sutton Weaver Swing Bridge for periods in January and March was “unacceptable”.

The Canal and River Trust said the bridge needs to be made safe and that disruption would be minimised.

Mr Amesbury said he had made it clear to the trust and Cheshire West and Chester Council that they “need to go back to the drawing board”.

Mike Amesbury said the economic impact of the closure was "unacceptable"

The Sutton Weaver Swing Bridge was built in 1926 and carries the A56 over the River Weaver Navigation, close to Frodsham and the M56.

The work to be carried out includes re-wiring the bridge, installing new signalling, and replacing the control system.

The bridge was due to be closed to traffic, cyclists and pedestrians from 04:00 GMT on Monday 6 January until 23:59 on Saturday 25 January, and then again from 00:01 on Monday 10 March until 23:59 on Saturday 22 March.

Mr Amesbury said there had been "a considerable number of representations" about the plans.

"Vital engineering works must be carried out but the economic impact of a 33-day closure as proposed was unacceptable," he said.

He added that an update would follow.

The Canal and River Trust said: "Following a recent announcement of proposed plans to close Sutton Weaver Swing Bridge for vital repairs in the New Year, both Cheshire West and Chester Council and the Canal & River Trust have received feedback from the local community.

"We are working closely together on this project, and we are listening to the points raised by local residents and businesses and acknowledge the level of concern.

"Together we will reassess the programme of work needed to carry out these vital repairs, to upgrade ageing components to prevent the bridge from failing and ensure that it is safe and more resilient for the future. We will also look at potential measures to keep disruption or inconvenience for the local community to a minimum.

"We will provide an update as soon as possible."