Historic Whorlton Bridge Disassembled for Renovation

A historic bridge has been taken apart in preparation for its restoration to its original condition. Whorlton Bridge, located in County Durham, was deconstructed piece by piece so its components could undergo testing before its reassembly. The 193-year-old structure holds the distinction of being the UK’s oldest road suspension bridge and is notable for its original iron chains that support its deck. Councillor John Shuttleworth, representing Durham County Council, stated that restoring the Grade II listed bridge was an “incredibly intricate operation.” “As a designated historic monument, it is essential the bridge is reconstructed to its original specifications,” he said. “This means we are striving to reuse as many of the original components as possible and are treating every piece with great care.” Following testing, each of the bridge’s parts will be shotblasted – a process involving cleaning or stripping – before being repainted. A cable crane was utilized beneath the bridge, enabling the team to move securely from one side to the other while working on the structure. Its reconstruction is anticipated to be completed in the first half of 2025. Shuttleworth commented: “This delicate operation involved over two years of engineering design to avoid damaging the structure.” He added: “To have it now fully removed is a significant step in this important project and we’re pleased to move on to the next stage.” For further updates, follow BBC Tees on X, Facebook, Nextdoor, and Instagram. Story ideas can be sent to northeastandcumbria@bbc.co.uk. Copyright 2024 BBC. All rights reserved. The BBC bears no responsibility for the content of external sites. Information regarding our approach to external linking is available.