Historic Hempyard Bridge Reopens Following Essential Repairs

A historic bridge is now accessible to pedestrians and horse riders following the completion of “vital” repair work. Structural repairs on Hempyard Bridge, located in Ixworth, near Bury St Edmunds, have concluded after the bridge’s three-month closure. The 16th-century structure had shown signs of deterioration over several years, prompting sustained demands for its restoration, as stated by the Ixworth and Ixworth Thorpe Parish Council. Ben Lord, chair of the parish council, commented, “It’s not just any old bridge – it’s a significant piece of our village’s culture and history and it needed meticulous care paid to it.” This renovation was the outcome of an extensive campaign led by groups such as Green Ixworth and the parish council. Mr Lord further stated: “There were times where we were holding our hands in our heads thinking ‘this bridge will eventually start to fall into the river’. “But we are delighted the county council finally found the finances necessary to deliver the restoration at the quality it has.” Local councillors, residents, and activists convened at the bridge, which was originally part of Ixworth Abbey, “to celebrate this significant milestone for the cultural and historical tapestry of Ixworth”. Suffolk County Council, the authority overseeing the structure, expressed gratitude to residents for their patience during the completion of the work, which was undertaken to guarantee the bridge’s safety. A spokesperson indicated: “There are minor works ongoing to reinstate the track, install public right of way signage and complete planting – these will be carried out over the coming weeks.” For updates on Suffolk news, follow BBC Sounds, Facebook, Instagram, and X. Copyright 2024 BBC. All rights reserved. The BBC bears no responsibility for the content found on external sites. Information regarding their approach to external linking is available.