Call for volunteers to rebuild canal bridge
PLANS are being made for the project to rebuild Schoolhouse Bridge, the last blocked bridge on the Montgomery Canal in Shropshire.
For the last three years the Restore the Montgomery Canal! appeal has been raising charity donations to rebuild the bridge and at the same time a team of retired civil engineers, all volunteers, has been preparing the designs for the project.
The team believes that the only way the bridge can be rebuilt with the available funds is by using specialist contractors only when necessary, with skilled and other volunteers where possible.
Though planning is well under way, the loss of fundraising opportunities this year means the team is still looking for donations to cover the final expenses. Donations can be made through www. RestoreTheMontgomeryCanal. uk/donate.html .
After a series of online ‘virtual’ meetings the volunteer team held a suitably distanced meeting at a nearby hotel to prepare for the start of work. The plan is to carry out some preparatory work this autumn, with Covid precautions, with the main reconstruction starting next spring.
Great record
Michael Limbrey, chairman of the Restore the Montgomery Canal! appeal group, said: “Canal volunteers have a great record of building or rebuilding locks and bridges and the results can be seen on canal restorations across the country.
“These volunteers have the skills and qualifications to use serious pieces of equipment, as they do on the Shropshire Union Canal Society working parties restoring the dry Montgomery Canal channel to the north of Schoolhouse Bridge.”
The group is calling for volunteers to join the project, which is due to start next spring. It is hoped to build a bridge in the space of a few months so the road can be reopened as soon as possible.
Michael continued: “We are looking for one or more volunteers to help as site managers and site foremen and for other volunteers to work on the site with those who have already offered help.
“We aren’t assuming volunteers can be available every day but we are hoping to build a pool of people who can come when available.
“Unlike many restoration projects, this is for one season: seven months and the job is done. It will probably take just one day to crane the bridge arch into position – that will be very exciting!”
He added: “This is a great opportunity for anyone interested in joining a vital part of the project to bring the Montgomery Canal back to Mid Wales. The completed bridge will be a permanent reminder of your achievement.”
It is hoped to fence off the site and lay a temporary trackway so heavy vehicles can get past the site during the autumn. Next spring the main project will start by removing the existing road embankment so a concrete base and walls can be created for the new bridge.
Contractors will then install the bridge arch, with volunteers backfilling to road level so contractors can surface the road. Volunteers will finish brickwork facing to the bridge, install bridge parapets and other fitments and complete landscaping so the road can be reopened to traffic.
Labour force
Ken Jackson from the project team said: “Now we have to build the volunteer labour force. This will be a mix of skilled specialist volunteers such as carpenters, steel fixers and bricklayers and general volunteers to support them and carry out general ground works and landscaping.
“We are looking for specialised volunteers to join the project to drive excavators and dumpers to excavate the site in March/April 2021, from May to prepare for concreting in June, and in July and September to brick the faces of the bridge.”
He continued: “At the same time we need a team on hand for general site duties, ideally drawn from a larger group so that the work can be shared from week to week. The site team would receive deliveries, prepare work areas for the specialised volunteers and help those teams when on site, and carry out any necessary non-skilled work to keep the project going.
“Of course there could be an overlap with general site team members being part of the specialised teams, and we are keen to offer training to help with any of these tasks.
“We understand that planning outdoor activities is difficult at the moment but don’t let that stop you registering an interest in working with the Schoolhouse Bridge team; and don’t worry if you haven’t done this kind of thing before, we will provide induction training, personal protective equipment and all the tools.”
To register an interest email contact@montgomerywrtrust. uk or go to www. RestoreTheMontgomeryCanal. uk/getinvolved.html