The project, carried out at Wellsborough Bridge near Market Bosworth, has seen extensive repairs made to historic brickwork, improving the look of the traditional humpback bridge and repairing damaged sections.
Our skilled teams raked out crumbling mortar, repointed with traditional lime mortar and replaced damaged bricks and stonework.
The project
The project is part of a wider scheme that has seen a series of bridges in the Ashby Canal Conservation Area restored by the charity, in partnership with Hinckley & Bosworth Borough Council.
Around £30,000 has been invested in the restoration of Wellsborough Bridge with £10,000 funding coming from the Borough Council’s Environmental Improvement Programme and the remainder being raised by the Trust.
Two years ago similar restoration works were carried out on nearby Dakins Bridge, where brickwork was repaired and sheet piling installed to strengthen the canal bank.
The project comes just as government has announced a substantial cut in future grant funding for the nation’s historic waterways from 2027. The Trust has issued a stark warning that, without a more realistic funding settlement, important works like those on the Ashby Canal may not be able to take place and eventually parts of the canal network may have to close.
An important part of local heritage
Alan Leather, our partnerships & funding manager, said: “The Ashby Canal bridges are such an important part of the local heritage and character, so we’re really pleased to be working with Hinckley & Bosworth Borough Council to make these vital repairs.
“With government recently announcing a near halving of public funding for the nation’s waterways in the years ahead, it brings the future of these historic and much-loved assets into sharp focus.
“We’re calling on people to lobby their local MP and support our campaign to Keep Canals Alive so that we can continue to protect and preserve the special places for future generations.”
Preserving important assets
Welcoming the improvements, Hinckley & Bosworth Borough Council Leader, Stuart Bray, said: “We are pleased to have been able to help support this project through Hinckley and Bosworth Borough Council’s Environmental Improvement Fund. I’d like to thank the Canal & River Trust for their skilled restoration work in completing this project. The improvements enhance and preserve these important assets and make it possible for even more residents and visitors to enjoy some pleasant and tranquil time water-side now and in the future.”
