Northumberland's Chollerford Bridge to close 'off-peak' for four weeks

One of Northumberland's most historic bridges is to close for four weeks during off-peak times for essential restoration work.

Grade II listed, Chollerford Bridge, will be closed from between 9am and 3pm from Monday 9th October.

The bridge was built in 1785 by Robert Mylne after the previous medieval structure was swept away in the great floods of 1771.

Now, as part of the final year of Northumberland County Council's Masonry Arch Refurbishment Programme, repairs will be carried out to preserve and improve the long term integrity of the bridge.

The works involve masonry repairs, repointing and resurfacing and as part of the scheme the traffic light heads will be upgraded and replaced leading to an improvement in traffic flow.

• An off-peak road closure will take place between 9am and 3pm for around four weeks

• The road will be open to traffic outside these times and the work is scheduled for completion by November 5.

• Pedestrians and dismounted cyclists will be able to cross the bridge at all times during the works and will be escorted through by staff.

• Extra signage will be added on the C235, Homer's Lane, to try and reduce any potential increase of traffic on this narrow road.

Back in 2015 Northumberland was one of only three authorities in the north east to be successful in its bid to Government for Challenge Funding, for one-off major infrastructure schemes.

It secured £6.7million to repair 130 masonry arch bridges, mainly across the rural north and west of the county and the scheme is now in its final year.