Ludlow's Ludford Bridge closes after masonry fall
[gallery] Chunks of masonry fell from a historic Shropshire bridge forcing it to close to traffic and pedestrians. Chunks of masonry fell from a historic Shropshire bridge forcing it to close to traffic and pedestrians. Witnesses described hearing a "crack and a crash" when part of the parapet of Ludford Bridge in Ludlow fell into the River Teme yesterday. The bridge was closed at about 4pm yesterday and engineers from Shropshire Council were due to meet today to inspect it decide on repair work.
CHUNKS OF masonry have fallen from a historic Shropshire bridge forcing it to be closed to traffic and pedestrians.
Witnesses described hearing a "crack and a crash" when part of the parapet of Ludford Bridge in Ludlow dropped into the River Teme yesterday afternoon.
The bridge, which carries the B4361 road over the river, was closed at about 4pm yesterday and engineers from Shropshire Council were due to meet today to inspect the bridge and see what repair work needed to be done.
Graham Willson-Lloyd, landlord of the Charlton Arms which is next to the bridge, said: "I was in the car park of the Charlton and we heard a terrific crack and a crash.
"My first thought was that somebody had driven into the river and that a vehicle had gone through the parapet. We could see lots of brown, bubbly water under the bridge."
Mr Willson-Lloyd said the bridge had been closed to pedestrians as well as traffic.
He said even with an optimistic head on, he did not see it being open to vehicles for at least three months.
Barriers remained in place today.
Councillor Tom Carter, chairman of Ludford Parish Council, said: "We would encourage them to at least allow pedestrians, that's what we will be trying to do, otherwise it's going to make it difficult for people."
Councillor Carter said he understood water had got into the bridge and frozen, forcing the stones out of the structure.
Shropshire Council cabinet member for transport Councillor Martin Taylor-Smith said: "I would like to apologise for any inconvenience caused, but I hope people will understand we need to ensure the bridge is safe before we can reopen it to traffic or pedestrians. Engineers will assess the damage and repair work will start as quickly as possible."
Traffic is being diverted via the B4361 Overton Road to the A49, then north to the Henley Road roundabout and then into Ludlow along Henley Road, Gravel Hill and Station Drive.
Dr Margaret Clark, from Ludlow Historical Research Group, said the bridge in its current form was at least 300 years old, but that parts of it would be around 600 years old.
She said that in the 15th century, there was a chapel to St Catherine on the bridge, with a hermit.
By Hannah Costigan
