Hardworking volunteers have reconstructed an important bridge across a former waterway.
The impressive new structure will eventually provide access to a recreation of how the Wilts & Berks Canal would have looked in the nineteenth century.
The red-brick bridge stands at the top of Pewsham Locks in the countryside on the edge of Chippenham.
It will provide vehicular access to the dry dock which has already been rebuilt on the eastern side of the canal, as well as the carpenter’s workshop which is due be finished later this year.
The aim is to create a new visitor attraction and educational facility next to the popular stretch which has already been restored at the bottom of the flight of locks.
The work, which took three years, has been carried out by volunteers from the Melksham, Chippenham & Calne branch of the Wilts & Berks Canal Trust.
The original bridge, used by farmers, collapsed many years ago and was replaced by a temporary wooden footbridge for walkers.
However, before work could start on the new crossing, the entrance walls had to be rebuilt on either side of the derelict lock.
The lock chamber itself also required attention. Loose bricks had to be carefully removed, cleaned and reseated.
Project lead Roger Noyce said: “Even with the help of modern powered tools, it was a very complex piece of work.
“A survey revealed the lock chamber had narrowed due to slight movement of the walls over the centuries, making it too tight for boats to pass through, so the team had to remove entire rows of bricks and cut them in half before putting them back.
“But now it’s finished, it looks even better than we ever imagined and I’d like to thank everyone who played their part.
“We have a visually striking new bridge to catch people’s attention as they begin their walk along the restored stretch of canal towards Lacock.
“It’s a clear demonstration of the charity’s continuing progress in bringing the waterway back to life.”
People can take a closer look at the Pewsham Locks restoration when the charity hosts its next open day, on Saturday 11 July, which includes a pop-up café, guided tours and boatrides.
Visit www.wbct.org.uk/mcc-events for further details, including a map and directions.
The aim of the Wilts & Berks Canal Trust is to restore the waterway from the Kennet & Avon Canal near Melksham to the Thames & Severn Canal near Cricklade and the River Thames near Abingdon, connecting Chippenham, Calne, Royal Wootton Bassett and Swindon.
Visit www.wbct.org.uk
Main photo: Roger Noyce (centre) and fellow volunteers celebrate the completion of the new bridge across the Wilts & Berks Canal at Pewsham Locks. Photo by Stephen Lewis.
