WARRINGTON’S ageing bridges are to undergo a programme of inspections next month – with motorists facing a series of overnight closures across some of the town’s key routes.
Warrington Borough Council has issued a temporary traffic order covering the Cantilever Bridge and three Manchester Ship Canal crossings, with the restrictions being introduced in phases throughout October.
The council says the closures are necessary to allow the annual bridge inspections to be carried out.
The first closure will affect the Cantilever Bridge and its approaches from 7pm on Monday, October 5, until 6am on Tuesday, October 6.
That will be followed by overnight closures of the canal crossings:
* Chester Road Swing Bridge – midnight to 5.30am from October 13 to 15
* Northwich Road Swing Bridge at Walton – midnight to 5.30am from October 20 to 22
* Knutsford Road Swing Bridge at Latchford – midnight to 5.30am from October 27 to 29
The restrictions include footway closures as well as a prohibition on driving.
Drivers will be diverted around the affected crossings, with routes taking traffic via **Wilderspool Causeway, London Road, Grappenhall Road, Chester Road and Walton Road**, depending on which bridge is closed.
Long-running problems
The inspections come against a backdrop of years of concern over the condition and reliability of Warrington’s canal bridges.
Warrington Worldwide has previously reported repeated incidents involving bridges becoming stuck open, causing major congestion across south Warrington.
Stockton Heath swing bridge is already earmarked for a major refurbishment, expected during the 2027-28 financial year.
Warrington Worldwide reported earlier this month that local councillors were calling for greater involvement in planning the works, which could require the bridge to be closed for around nine months.
The bridge is more than 130 years old and carries around 15,000 vehicles a day, as well as buses, pedestrians and cyclists. The wider programme also includes Latchford swing bridge and is currently scheduled for completion by September 2029.
Previous resurfacing work has also been carried out at the Knutsford Road bridge after concerns were raised about its road surface, paintwork and problems with the bridge sticking.
Four weeks of disruption
The latest programme means motorists will need to be particularly alert to the closure dates during October, although the council has deliberately scheduled the three swing bridge closures overnight.
The alternative routes will vary according to the bridge affected.
For the Cantilever Bridge, traffic will be diverted via Knutsford Road, Wilderspool Causeway, London Road and Grappenhall Road.
When Chester Road Swing Bridge is closed, motorists will be directed via Chester Road, Wilderspool Causeway, Walton Road and Walton New Road.
The Northwich Road/Walton crossing will use a diversion involving Wilderspool Causeway, Chester Road, Walton New Road, Walton Road and London Road.
For the Knutsford Road/Latchford bridge, the alternative route will run via Knutsford Road, Wilderspool Causeway, London Road, Grappenhall Road and Chester Road.
The council’s latest notice states that the restrictions are being introduced specifically to allow bridge inspections to take place.
