Ancient bridge shut after vehicle strike

HomeNewsUS & CanadaUKUK PoliticsEnglandN. IrelandN. Ireland PoliticsScotlandScotland PoliticsWalesWales PoliticsAfricaAsiaChinaIndiaAustraliaEuropeLatin AmericaMiddle EastIn PicturesBBC InDepthBBC VerifySportBusinessWorld of BusinessTechnology of BusinessNYSE Opening BellTechnologyWatch DocumentariesArtificial IntelligenceIntelligence RevolutionAI v the MindTech NowHealthWatch DocumentariesCultureWatch DocumentariesFilm & TVMusicArt & DesignStyleBooksEntertainment NewsArtsWatch DocumentariesArts in MotionTravelWatch DocumentariesDestinationsAfricaAntarcticaAsiaAustralia and PacificCaribbean & BermudaCentral AmericaEuropeMiddle EastNorth AmericaSouth AmericaWorld’s TableCulture & ExperiencesAdventuresThe SpeciaListTo the Ends of the Earth EarthWatch DocumentariesScienceNatural WondersClimate SolutionsSustainable BusinessGreen LivingAudioPodcast CategoriesRadioAudio FAQsVideoWatch DocumentariesBBC MaestroDiscover the WorldLiveLive NewsLive SportDocumentariesSite searchHomeNewsSportBusinessTechnologyHealthCultureArtsTravelEarthAudioVideoLiveDocumentariesWeatherNewslettersAncient bridge shut after vehicle strike1 hour agoShareSaveAdd as preferred on GoogleLee BottomleyWest MidlandsDani HarringtonThe bridge crosses the Llangollen canal in Wrenbury, CheshireAn ancient wooden lifting bridge over a canal needs to be taken down piece by piece to be repaired after it was hit by a vehicle.

Damage to a timber support on the bridge over the Llangollen Canal in Wrenbury, Cheshire, means a key village road is shut, with a lengthy diversion in place.

The Canal & River Trust (CRT) said navigation had been closed at Bridge 20 in Wrenbury since 28 September and it was working to reopen Cholmondeley Road in the coming weeks.

The Grade II listed single span bridge was built in about 1790 by Thomas Telford, and has a 20th Century mechanical crank to raise and lower it, according to Historic England.

"We've got literally no passing traffic whatsoever now," said Anthony Stevenson from the Dusty Miller pub, which is by the damaged bridge.

"It's pretty much disastrous for us," said Stevenson, who added they were lucky to have loyal regular customers in the village, as trade from the canal had also been hit by the breach at Whitchurch in December 2025.

"It's keeping everything tight, hours tight, ordering tight, you've got to be on top of everything all the time, really."

The bridge had been struck a number of times in the year he had been at the pub, he added, but it had not been closed before.

Dani Harrington from nearby Canalside Garden Centre has been preparing a Halloween trail and was expecting to see a boost in trade after it received a good response on social media.

She said she cried when she saw the bridge had been closed, and is now concerned how many customers will follow the diversion down country lanes to visit.

"It is so frustrating so see the Llangollen Canal's heritage damaged by repeated bridge strikes," stated CRT, adding that it "totally understands and shares everyone's frustration".

"The bridge is a scheduled ancient monument and we will work with partners at highways and the parish council to get the road back open as soon as possible, and within the coming weeks," it added.

The historically significant Telford design will be taken down, piece by piece, repaired and then put in back place later on, the charity stated.

"Fortunately, the circumstances of the accident which led to the closure are known, which may allow our charity to recover some of the costs associated with the repairs," it added.

In a social media post, Cheshire East Council said it was working closely with the bridge owners, the Canal & River Trust, and would provide further updates as soon as more information was available.

The authority urged drivers to follow the signed diversion route and allow extra time for their journeys.

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