Restored Montgomery Canal bridge set to open

A parade of vintage vehicles followed the official opening by local councillor Vince Hunt

A restored bridge over the Montgomery Canal is expected to reopen to traffic within days, after a procession of vintage vehicles to mark the occasion.

The Schoolhouse Bridge, near Pant in Shropshire, was knocked down many years ago when the canal was abandoned.

A £1m project to rebuild the bridge started in 2023, after fundraising by local charities.

Volunteers spent six years raising funds, confirming the design and reaching agreements with landowners.

Restoring access under the road had been one of the biggest obstacles to volunteers seeking to reopen the canal as far as the Welsh border.

A similar project is underway on the canal in Wales, with government grants supporting the cost of two more new bridges there.

The new bridge is expected to open to traffic within days

The vehicles at the opening ceremony included a 1910 traction engine, a 1931 steam wagon, and a 1979 Lomax three-wheel kit car.

The procession a fortnight ago was due to coincide with the reopening, but council clearance for general traffic to start using the bridge was delayed.

The volunteers are now raising funds so they can continue restoring other parts of the canal, said Michael Limbrey, chairman of the Restore the Montgomery Canal appeal.