Investigation as Northwich's Town Bridge cable 'realigns'

The cable, which emerges from the south elevation of Town Bridge’s control cabin, has shifted upwards and is now dragging on the top of the rectangular opening in the wall.

The cable stretches from the electric motor on the ground floor of the cabin to the bridge pivot, rotating the 460-tonne bridge deck through almost 90 degrees to make way from larger boats using the River Weaver.

The cable was designed to run on metal guides but is now standing proud of these by several inches, running against the fabric of the building at the top of the opening.

Town Bridge is one of the earliest electrically driven swing bridges in the UK, second only to Hayhurst Bridge just upriver, and is historically significant.

The bridge, which nowadays swings fewer than 50 times a year, was built in 1899 and stands at the heart of Northwich’s conservation area.

Town Bridge in Northwich (Image: Karl Brooks Photography)

The bridge’s operator, The Canal and River Trust (CRT), is investigation why the cable has moved, but in the meantime, it has applied to Cheshire West and Chester Council to make the hole in the control cabin’s wall bigger to relieve the friction on the cable.

A design and access statement submitted by CRT as part of the planning applications states: “The reasons for cable re-alignment are being investigated and the need for repair works will be considered.

“One option proposed at this stage is to heighten the south wall opening to accommodate the re-alignment and prevent damage to the operating cable.

“The loss of original fabric and alteration to the original design is minimal.

“The works are required to prevent damage to the bridge operating cable between electric motor and bridge pivot.

“The bridge is significant as one of the earliest electrically powered swing bridges in Britain, and the works will retain the listed building in its historic use.”