Preliminary work begins on £10.5m restoration of bridge linking England and Scotland

Preliminary work has started ahead of the restoration of the famous Union Chain Bridge linking England and Scotland.
Watch more of our videos on Shots! 
and live on Freeview channel 276
Visit Shots! now

Contractors Spencer Group have begun setting up a works compound on the Horncliffe side of the bridge this week.

Work on the actual bridge, which celebrated its 200th anniversary last month, is due to start in October and take around 18 months.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

It is another significant step for the structure which provides a key transport link and received £3.14m from The National Lottery Heritage Fund in September 2019.

The Union Chain Bridge that spans the River Tweed between Horncliffe, Northumberland, England and Fishwick, Berwickshire, Scotland.The Union Chain Bridge that spans the River Tweed between Horncliffe, Northumberland, England and Fishwick, Berwickshire, Scotland.
The Union Chain Bridge that spans the River Tweed between Horncliffe, Northumberland, England and Fishwick, Berwickshire, Scotland.

The ambitious funding bid was put together by Northumberland County Council, Scottish Borders Council, Museums Northumberland and community group Friends of the Union Chain Bridge, following serious concerns about the condition of the world-famous structure.

Both councils have committed match funding totalling £5.7m towards the £10.5m scheme, with other fundraising activities continuing to be progressed by the Friends of Union Chain Bridge in support of the project.

Earlier this month Historic England confirmed a £250,000 grant towards the scheme.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

As well as conserving the historic structure, the project team has also developed interpretation proposals and a comprehensive programme of community engagement and education activities.

David Renwick, director, England, North, The National Lottery Heritage Fund, said: “We are delighted to see that the work to ensure the iconic Union Chain Bridge is progressing and that through a programme of ambitious activities, our funding will provide exciting opportunities for people to explore the heritage and stories of this wonderful structure.”

Cllr Glen Sanderson from Northumberland County Council said: “This is yet another milestone, with work starting in earnest preparing for the main bridge works.

“We’re delighted to have got to this point with compounds being set up as there’s been so much work on both sides of the border to get us to this point.”

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Built in 1820 by Captain Samuel Brown, the Union Chain Bridge is the oldest operational chain suspension bridge in the world still carrying vehicles.

The project team would love to hear from anyone who’s got a story to share about the bridge.

Please get in touch at [email protected] and visit www.unionchainbridge.org

A message from the Editor:

Thank you for reading this story on our website. While I have your attention, I also have an important request to make of you.

The dramatic events of 2020 are having a major impact on many of our local valued advertisers and consequently the advertising that we receive. We are now more reliant than ever on you helping us to provide you with news by buying a copy of our newspaper.

If you can, please do pick up a copy when you are at the shops. Thank you for your support.