Stonehouse canal bridge built 'too close to house'

An overhanging part of the house is at risk from being hit by high vehicles, a council spokesman said

A new bridge over a Gloucestershire canal could have to be moved because it has been built too close to a house.

The manually operated swing bridge over the Stroudwater Navigation in Stonehouse should have opened in May.

Stroud District Council said there was a "problem with the alignment" of it, and high vehicles were at risk of hitting a nearby property.

Ocean Bridge was built to replace an 18th Century structure as part of the ongoing Cotswold Canals restoration.

Councillor Roger Sanders said: "A car would probably be okay but something like a horsebox or a tractor with a load of hay on [would have problems].

"It appears that part of the building overhangs the bridge."

Mr Sanders said engineers were looking into a way of rectifying the problem.

"I don't think it will have to be completely rebuilt but until they carry out their investigations we can't say," he added.

Contractor Galliford Try was appointed to design and build the new bridge last year.

Nobody from the company was available for comment.