Alrewas: Chetwynd Bridge to get weight restriction

Chetwynd Bridge is a Grade II* listed structure

A 200-year-old bridge will soon have a weight restriction as part of moves to preserve it.

The 18-tonne weight restriction comes into force on Chetwynd Bridge, near Alrewas, Staffordshire, on 5 September.

Emergency and essential services will be exempt, the county council said.

The restriction needs to be placed on the Grade II* listed bridge to prevent it from deteriorating further and protect people's safety, it added.

It is the latest phase of an eight-month project. A new bypass bridge is being designed with the aim of ultimately diverting traffic from the route.

"This will transform Chetwynd Bridge into a cycle and pedestrian route and preserve it for future generations," said cabinet member for highways and transport David Williams.

He said the bridge was a "historic asset to people in Staffordshire and neighbouring Derbyshire".