'˜Please slow down to protect our bridges'

A charity is pleading with motorists to slow down over humpback bridges after one in Tring was hit, causing thousands worth of damage.
The damage to Gamnel Bridge on Tringford Road, TringThe damage to Gamnel Bridge on Tringford Road, Tring
The damage to Gamnel Bridge on Tringford Road, Tring

Work started on Gamnel Bridge, which crosses over the Wendover Arm of the Grand Union Canal on Tringford Road, on Monday and it is thought it will last several weeks.

The damage was caused on Friday, April 1 when a blue Peugeot hit the 200-year-old bridge just before midnight.

It is not clear what caused the collision, but now workers from the Canal & River Trust – which looks after 2,000 miles of canals and rivers in England and Wales – have begun the painstaking process of restoring the brick parapet.

Will Swinburn from the Canal & River Trust, said: “Hump-back bridges are synonymous with our wonderful canals, connecting us to our past and to a slower pace of life.

“Each time a bridge is hit a small bit of history is lost and it is heart-breaking for us to spend so much time and money caring for these amazing structures just to see them damaged.

“In this case the motorist stopped and left their insurance details so we should be able to claim back most of the cost of the repair.

“But if motorists just slowed down a bit and took more care and attention then they would really help protect our canal heritage.”