Villagers in Shropshire face diversions for almost two months because of strengthening works to a canal bridge.

The Coachman’s canal bridge near Tetchill, Ellesmere, will be closed from today for up to seven weeks.

It is part of Shropshire Council’s ongoing work to look at all road bridges that it is responsible for.

The bridge will be shut to vehicles, cyclists and pedestrians.

The bridge carries the country road between Welsh Frankton and Tetchill over the Llangollen Canal. It is a well-used road taking traffic from Tetchill onto the main A495 Ellesmere to Oswestry road.

Narrowboats on the canal will be unaffected.

Martin Taylor-Smith, Shropshire Council’s cabinet member for strategic planning and transport, said: “There was no option other than to close the road, to enable essential work to be carried out to strengthen the bridge. The carrying capacity of the bridge has been assessed as part of Shropshire Council’s bridge assessment programme. This identified the bridge as being weak, hence the need for the proposed work.”

“The bridge will be closed to all vehicular traffic, pedestrians, equestrians and cyclists while the work is being done.”

While the road is closed, traffic will be diverted via Ellesmere and back to Welsh Frankon along the A495.

“It is appreciated that the proposed work may cause some inconvenience and we will do all that we reasonably can to reopen the bridge as soon as possible,” he added.