COMMUNITY leaders are pleased after repairs to a historic bridge allowed a ‘vital’ road link to reopen.
Hobb Lane bridge at Moore was closed for months due to damage caused by HGVs taking the wrong diversion when Daresbury Expressway was shut last year.
Cllr Mike Ryan (Daresbury, Moore and Sandymoor) had publicly demanded action from The Bridgewater Canal Company Ltd, which has responsibility for the grade II-listed structure.
Backed by fellow councillors and Mike Amesbury, Labour candidate for the Runcorn and Helsby constituency, Cllr Ryan is glad the bridge is now fixed and reopen to traffic.
He said: “We’re really pleased the bridge is open and I’m grateful for the support we had from Mike Amesbury, our MP at the time and now our Labour candidate. We worked together really well, along with Moore Parish Council.
“It’s local people uniting over a common aim and effecting real change. Little things can make big differences to people in their every day lives.”
He added: “The bridge being shut split the village in two. The journey by vehicle into Moore from the other side of the closure was virtually impossible.
“It was also difficult to get onto Chester Road, certainly for people turning right down to the motorway because it’s a fast road. It’s made a real difference being back open. It’s a vital link.”
The lorries that damaged the structure should not have been using the historic bridge, which is subject to a 7.5 tonnes limit.
Mike Amesbury said: ‘I was more than than happy to support Cllr Ryan over this important local issue. I’m pleased to see the beautiful old bridge over the canal is now repaired and open once again.”
Hobb Lane will be closed for resurfacing work from Monday, June 17, for three days, between 8am and 5pm.
