Historic bridge being rebuilt after restoration
Durham County CouncilAn 195-year-old suspension bridge is being rebuilt after being dismantled in order to restore it.
Whorlton Bridge, near Barnard Castle in County Durham, was taken apart piece by piece so its parts could be restored, including its ironwork, deck and suspension components.
Specialist teams have now begun installing new and refurbished parts, with each section being carefully aligned and fixed into place.
Durham County Council's Cabinet member for transport Tim McGuinness said the start of the reassembly followed "months of precision engineering and heritage conservation".
"We're happy that we are now beginning the final stages of the project and excited that, once reopened, Whorlton Bridge will again serve as an important link for communities," he said.
The bridge, which first opened in 1831, is a Grade II listed structure and conservators have worked side by side with engineers to retain the original features.
Teams are working to complete the installation of restored suspension chains, reconstruct the deck and walkway, and carry out load-testing and final inspections before preparing the site for full reopening.
The project is on schedule to be completed in the summer, the council said.
