'Increasing frustration' over bridge closure
BBCThere is "increasing frustration" among residents after it was revealed the closure of a Gloucestershire bridge will last at least another six months.
The Sandfield Swing Bridge, near Saul and Frampton on Severn, has been shut due to unsafe surface conditions.
Gloucestershire County Council said the bridge's timber deck boards have degraded, leaving screws and ironwork exposed and making it unsafe to use.
Andy Brown, chair of Fretherne with Saul Parish Council, said the closure is "adding time and inconvenience to everyday journeys".
He added the closure of the bridge, which crosses the Gloucester & Sharpness Canal near Saul, is affecting local businesses and pushing more traffic onto rural roads.
Brown said the continued closure was causing "increasing frustration within the community".
He said the bridge provides a key link between Church Lane and Whitminster Lane, offering convenient access to Frampton-on-Severn, including the local doctors' surgery.
He said residents are facing "added time and inconvenience", and there are also concerns that diverted traffic is putting more pressure on narrow rural roads that are "already in poor condition".
Brown also raised concerns about the impact on local businesses, including the Stables Café in Saul, which he said is now experiencing "reduced accessibility".
The bridge is owned by the Canal & River Trust, while the county council is responsible for maintaining its surface.
On its website, the council states that repair work is scheduled to begin in October this year.
It added the work cannot start earlier because it is illegal to disturb birds during the nesting season, meaning any repairs must wait until that period has ended.
The council said it already has replacement deck boards ready to be installed, but claims there are underlying structural issues with the bridge that need to be addressed by the Canal and River Trust before surface repairs can be carried out.
The Canals and River Trust said it inspected the bridge on Monday and is currently waiting the results of the inspection.
The bridge remains open to boats traveling along the canal.
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