Damaged canal bridge closes key road to Wrenbury village near Nantwich
Villagers in Wrenbury near Nantwich are facing a long diversion to and from their homes after a vehicle crashed into a canal bridge.
By Nantwich News
Villagers in Wrenbury near Nantwich are facing a long diversion after a vehicle crashed into a canal bridge on Cholmondeley Road earlier this week.
The collision damaged the historic Wrenbury Lift Bridge, which carries the road over the Shropshire Union Canal, and left it unsafe for vehicles to use until repairs are carried out.
According to the report, Canal and River Trust engineers have inspected the bridge, while Wrenbury Parish Council said a plan is being formed to make it safe again. The council added that permits and agreements will be needed before work can begin, and no timescale has yet been given.
The closure is affecting a busy route to and from the A49, with the parish council saying the road remains shut. Some villagers fear the bridge could be closed for weeks, possibly longer, although that has not been confirmed.
There is also concern locally that a heavy goods vehicle may have been involved, after the route was reportedly being used as a diversion because of a weight restriction on the A530 at Baddington Bridge. That detail has not been officially confirmed.
The parish council has also said it held talks last year with the Canal and River Trust, Cheshire East highways and English Heritage about protecting the bridge. The council said those plans have been delayed until 2027 because of financial constraints, but the trust has now asked Cheshire East highways to consider them sooner.