Food festival traffic first to use new bridge

Traffic was flowing smoothly across Ludlow’s Burway Bridge today after months of repairs following the disastrous floods of last summer.Council workers battled to get the new bridge partially open for Ludlow’s food festival, which is attracting thousands of people to the town this weekend.

Unseasonable wet weather meant the reopening was delayed for 24 hours but the bridge was in operation last night with a two-way light system controlling traffic.

The county council has said delays were caused because the stone foundation of the road on the approach to the bridge was too wet and contractors were unable to lay the road surface.

Major roadworks took place after the bridge collapsed during last summer’s severe flooding leaving a 16m wide gap in the main road into Ludlow from the north.

Town county councillor Peter Corston said: “It will be a great relief to have the bridge reopened to traffic. I appreciate the hard work that has been carried out by officers to ensure that the bridge will be reopened in time for the food festival.

“It will be a real benefit for Ludlow to have the bridge open again earlier than expected and I would like to congratulate everyone who has been involved.”

The bridge will now remain partially open to traffic while work continues until the construction is completed. Engineers hope the bridge repairs will be fully completed by Christmas.