Bridge installed on Shropshire's Montgomery Canal project

After more than six years of planning and fundraising, sections of the Schoolhouse Bridge have been moved into place, meaning there is once more a Bridge 86 over the Montgomery Canal.

Schoolhouse Bridge was the last highway blockage on the Shropshire section of the Montgomery Canal after the previous one was demolished in the 1950s or 60s.

Michael Limbrey, chairman of the Montgomery Waterway Restoration Trust, said: “This has been a most exciting day.

“It is six years since we resolved to reconstruct Schoolhouse Bridge.

"If we could do it, it would be a significant contribution to opening up the canal to the Welsh border at Llanymynech.

“Now we can see a bridge for the first time for more than 60 years.”

The arches were in six sections produced by Macrete, based in Country Antrim, and were delivered to the site by a convoy of flat-bed lorries.

Each section was made of connected segments which formed an arch shape when lifted by a 250-ton crane to be lowered onto carefully positioned cills on the reinforced concrete abutments.

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While a spectacular process, the organisers were not able to publicise the date beforehand as the site could not accommodate a large number of viewers, or their cars.

The whole process was completed in a matter of hours, with the six arch sections and spandrels in place by mid-afternoon.

Mr Limbrey explained that the project is part of a larger plan to revive the Montgomery Canal, described by its owners the Canal & River Trust as “high-quality natural and built heritage, a gem of our waterway network”.

This means safeguarding the valued plants and wildlife and the canal-age locks, bridges and other structures, so they do not become overgrown, decay and lose all value.

He added: “The restored canal can bring so many economic, social and environmental benefits which other restored waterways have already achieved.

“It is that boost to the area that brought the UK Government funding for work in Powys.

“In Shropshire, there are now just a couple of miles of dry canal to be restored.

“Our experienced volunteers are at work to rewater the next section and we have launched a new Restore the Montgomery Canal! appeal to raise funds to provide them with equipment and materials.

“Supporters, both local and further afield, have generously donated for the bridge and are now supporting this next phase of the restoration.

”We are always pleased to receive donations at https://localgiving.org/appeal/MontgomeryCanal”