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Hungerford's new bridge is under construction





The £400,000 project is on schedule to be completed by the end of next month, when the structures will be lowered into place by crane.
Project manager for Alun Griffiths (Contractors) Ltd, Dr Simon Dunn, said: “Despite some difficulties we are still on programme and the North Abutment at Canal Walk is complete, the two pier bases are complete and the South Abutment is also complete.
“We also reprogrammed the works to avoid any need for road closures in the build up to Christmas, which did unfortunately require the partial closure of the footway for longer than we had hoped but I think it worked well.
“We also installed a temporary timber railing on the south side to enable the footpath to remain open over the Christmas period.”
Town mayor Martin Crane said: “The contractors have been very good and have kept us informed of progress all the way.”
He also reassured residents who had been concerned that an old willow tree on the bank was doomed.
Mr Crane said: “They are just pollarding it. There was a problem with the roots coming out, so a West Berkshire Council tree surgeon came to look at it. There was some discussion as to whether it needed to be removed but it was decided that pollarding would be a viable solution for a few years. Meanwhile a new one is being planted to replace it eventually.”
The new footbridge, first suggested 70 years ago, is being installed because the current structuire is too narrow for pedestrians, especially mothers with pushchairs.
The original bridge, which is Grade II listed, was built in 1798, around the same time that the Kennet and Avon Canal was being constructed.



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