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'Significant' bridge reopens after 'vital' repairs

Ben Lord About 20 residents and council representatives standing in a line on Hempyard Bridge, looking at the camera. They are wearing coats, scarves and hats. One of them has a black dog. The brick-built bridge, which has three arches, is narrow and looks old. The bridge is over a river. There are trees behind it.Ben Lord
Hempyard Bridge has reopened after being closed for three months

A historic bridge has reopened to pedestrians and horse riders after “vital” repairs.

Structural works on Hempyard Bridge, in Ixworth, near Bury St Edmunds - which had been closed for three months - have finally finished.

The 16th Century bridge had been crumbling for several years and there had long been calls for its restoration, according to Ixworth and Ixworth Thorpe Parish Council.

“It’s not just any old bridge – it’s a significant piece of our village’s culture and history and it needed meticulous care paid to it," said parish council chair Ben Lord.

Matt Marvel/BBC A man with short hair wearing glasses and a blue sweater standing in front of a bridgeMatt Marvel/BBC
Ben Lord, chair of Ixworth and Ixworth Thorpe Parish Council, is thrilled the bridge is open again

The revamp followed a long-fought campaign spearheaded by organisations including Green Ixworth and the parish council.

Mr Lord added: “There were times where we were holding our hands in our heads thinking ‘this bridge will eventually start to fall into the river’.

“But we are delighted the county council finally found the finances necessary to deliver the restoration at the quality it has."

Parish councillors, residents, and campaigners gathered at the bridge - originally part of Ixworth Abbey - “to celebrate this significant milestone for the cultural and historical tapestry of Ixworth”.

Ben Lord Councillors and residents, including some with dogs, gathered together in a woodland area.Ben Lord
Councillors, residents and campaigners held a celebration to mark the reopening

Suffolk County Council, responsible for the structure, thanked residents for their patience while the work - to ensure the bridge's safety - was done.

A spokesperson said: “There are minor works ongoing to reinstate the track, install public right of way signage and complete planting - these will be carried out over the coming weeks."

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