Historic war memorial bridge over River Severn to close for a month

A war memorial pedestrian bridge in the Ironbridge Gorge is set to close next month for four weeks.

The Jackfield and Coalport Memorial Bridge over the River Severn near The Boat Inn will be closed from September 7 until October 9 to allow for workmen to carry out re-decking on the structure.

The news was announced by Labour councillor Carolyn Healy of Telford & Wrekin Council.

Councillor Healy, who represents the Ironbridge Gorge ward, took to social media to reveal the news.

She said: “​I am pleased to have secured investment for the full re-decking of the bridge as we can’t carry on with ad hoc repairs.”

The councillor added: “Work will begin on Monday 7th September to replace the decking on the memorial bridge and improve the lighting to prevent future faults.

“This will require the bridge to be closed during the works, which are set to be completed by Friday 9th October.”

The bridge was built in 1922 to honour 26 men from the Jackfield and Coalport area who lost their lives in the First World War.

There will be a diversion for members of the public put in place whilst the work is undertaken.

Councillor Healy said: “A pedestrian diversion will be in place along the Severn Valley Way to the Coalport Bridge and back along Coalport High Street.

“As such the planned closure of the path by Severn Trent Water has been deferred.”

It is understood that a welfare unit will be installed on the nearby road between the memorial tree and the bridge, alongside a material storage container.

Talking about the potential impact of the upcoming closure on residents, Councillor Healy said: “I know this will cause some short term disruption but it is necessary to ensure the memorial bridge can continue to provide safe crossing of the river for many more years.”