Photo credit: Penny Mayes / Greyfriars Bridge / CC BY-SA 2.0
Following feedback from local businesses, community representatives and the public Shropshire Council has reviewed its proposals for the repair and refurbishment of Greyfriars Bridge.
The repairs are required to safeguard the public and to ensure the longevity of the structure, which is exhibiting severe corrosion of some key components. The window of opportunity for repair is also heavily constrained, not least by the Environment Agency requirements. Therefore it is only possible for work to be carried out during the summer months, which unfortunately coincides with many events in the town.
The council acknowledges that its early engagement this time around has regrettably been ineffective and for this we apologise. We are also aware that there are aspirational plans to upgrade the bridge as part the council’s local cycling and walking improvement plan, but these proposals are currently unfunded and there is no timeframe attached to when this might occur.
In the circumstances the council is minded to delay the repairs until next summer [2026], which will allow for more comprehensive consultation and the development of mitigation measures that will address the negative impacts of an eight-week closure. The suspension of work this year will require repairs to be undertaken next year, if the permanent closure of the structure is to be avoided.
We will continue to engage and the shape discussions as the consultation develops.
