Major Gloucester bridge WILL be fixed in time for Tall Ships Festival, say canal trust chiefs

A major bridge over the Gloucester and Sharpness canal will be repaired in time for the Tall Ships Festival in May, according to Canal and River Trust chiefs. Trust engineers found structural issues with High Orchard Bridge after a recent inspection - sparking fears the city's flagship event was in peril.

But after springing into action to undertake immediate repair works to the base of the St Ann Way bridge, it is now on track to be ready the first week of May. The repair work will allow the bridge to be open for boats above five metres tall.

Currently, boats are still able to navigate the canal but the bridge cannot be lifted for taller vessels. The works are expected to be completed by the first week of May well in time for the Tall Ships Festival which starts on May 25.

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Culture and leisure cabinet member Andy Lewis (C, Quedgeley Severn Vale) said he has been reassured the works will be completed within three weeks.

“Good job the Canal and River trust spotted it and it should be open well in time for the Tall Ships Festival,” he said. “That was my main concern.

"A bit of welding has been needed underneath and they are doing it as we speak.They said it will be completed within three weeks so that’s plenty of time. I asked them the specific question: will it be ready? And they said yes. I have to take them at their word.”

The repair work at High Orchard Bridge
The repair work at High Orchard Bridge -Credit:Submitted

The Canal and River Trust says their engineers are assessing the bridge each morning, have grit blasted it and have used ultrasonic technology to discover the extent of the issue and what is needed as part of the repairs. They have built a pontoon and scaffolding has been placed to allow access to the more difficult areas to reach.

“We are continuing to check the bridge on a daily basis to confirm there’s no deterioration,” a spokesperson said in an update to residents.

“Plans are being developed for the safe method of repairing the bridge and we have developed a provisional timeline which suggests the bridge will be fully operational again for the first week of May, subject to the final method being confirmed.”

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