Still no repair for canal bridge

THE repairs to a bridge over the Grand Union Canal that was damaged in May last year have been put back again.

Ivinghoe Bridge that carries the B488 over the canal had its parapet destroyed by a vehicle in the early hours of the morning of Monday 21st May, and was to be repaired this month, Alan Tilbury reports.

Might be bats

But Canal & River Trust have discovered that there is a possibility that bats might nest in the bridge so no work can be carried out, and repairs have been delayed until September.

Further bat surveys will be carried out during the breeding season, though it is not known if bats are actually in the bridge.

Nine or 18 tonnes?

Though there is officially a nine tonne weight limit on the bridge it being a grade II structure, the county council state it is 'considering ways to enforce the 18 tonne limit'!  The council want to strengthen the bridge with its cost estimated at £100,000 that will be met by a structure fund.