Repair work on 400-year-old bridge begins

A council is hoping work to repair a historic bridge will be complete by its 400th anniversary celebrations.

Berwick Old Bridge will be closed to vehicles for several months from Thursday, as masonry repairs are made on the elevations and arch barrels.

Pedestrians and cyclists will still be able to cross the bridge.

Northumberland County Council had to gain consent from Historic England before work on the Grade I listed structure could begin.

The council has assured residents that it will try to keep disruptions and restrictions to a minimum.

There will be a Living History day in Berwick on Saturday 3 August, which coincides with the bridge's 400th anniversary.

One of the organisers of the festivities, Margaret Shaw, said the council had promised that the bridge will be ready by then.

“The town’s changed hands 13 times between England and Scotland.

"So we’re quite good at being adaptable and fitting in to what’s required," Ms Shaw said.

However, celebrations might not run as smoothly for the town's Tweedmouth Feast in July.

The coronation of the "Salmon Queen" is the highlight of the festival, with the queen traditionally being pulled across the bridge in a vehicle as part of the procession.

With this year's festivities arranged for 18 July, it is unlikely the bridge will be back open in time.

However, councillor John Riddle says they are working on finding a way to make it happen.

Mr Riddle is the cabinet member responsible for local services at Northumberland County Council, and said there were lots of rules and regulations for repairing a listed Grade 1 structure.

“You’ve got to be very careful in how you repair things and you have to try and make the mortar as close as possible as it was originally….it’s not a five-minute job.”

But Mr Riddle believes the town is in support of the closure.

“It’s a much loved bridge in the town, it's quite iconic.

"It’s 15 arches and 355m (1,165ft) long, and it’s a very important historic feature.”