Key bridge installed in historic canal restoration

A new swing bridge has been installed as part of a historic canal restoration.

The crossing, known as Bushey Fox Bridge, has been lifted into place using a crane in Wichelstowe in Wiltshire, on a section of the Wilts & Berks Canal being constructed by Swindon Borough Council.

Matty Courtliff, the council's cabinet member for housing and property, said the bridge was "another exciting milestone" for Wichelstowe and the canal's restoration.

Once complete, the new 600-metre (1,968 ft) stretch of canal will extend south from Wichelstowe before turning east towards Mill Lane.

The six-metre-long (19 ft) bridge rotates on a bearing system and rests within a specially-designed shelf in the canal bank while boats pass through.

It contains the equivalent of 140 recycled plastic bottles per sq m.

"The canal has always been a key part of the vision for Wichelstowe," Courtliff added.

"As well as supporting future canal use, the bridge and surrounding canal corridor will provide an attractive environment for walking, cycling and enjoying nature for many years to come."

The bridge has been named after the historic Bushey Leaze crossing on the original canal.

Wichelstowe, a suburb in Swindon, is undergoing a major expansion, with up to 4,500 homes being built.

Developer Wichelstowe LLP has welcomed work on the canal restoration.

Rob Powe, development manager for Wichelstowe LLP, said "fantastic progress" was being made.

He added: "Canal construction is always very weather dependent with dry, but not too dry, conditions required to dig the canal channel and then rain needed to fill up the canal this winter."

The Wilts & Berks Canal crosses Wiltshire, Swindon and Oxfordshire. It was opened in 1810 and operated for nearly 100 years until the Act of Parliament in 1914 when it was abandoned.

But volunteers from the Wilts & Berks Canal Trust have worked to have bridges, locks and towpaths restored in recent years.

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