Some of the early work at Malswick focused on brick repairs to two existing brick built bridges
Malswick team leader Paul Henshaw writes…
During the autumn (2017), work concentrated on carrying out repairs to the two brick bridges which cross Ell Brook.
On the East bridge, Geoff and the team from Oxenhall cleared the vegetation from the banks either side of the bridge and from the brook itself. An old sycamore tree stump was cut back to the face of the bank, so that it will not impede the future flow of water along the brook.
Old gate posts at the end of each parapet were dug out and new posts concreted in to replace them.
Meanwhile on the West bridge, Robert and the team from Moat Farm similarly concreted in four gate posts which will be used to buttress each parapet and help protect the brickwork from future accidental damage.
Meanwhile on the West bridge, Robert and the team from Moat Farm similarly concreted in four gate posts which will be used to buttress each parapet and help protect the brickwork from future accidental damage.
Work also concentrated on repairing and in some cases rebuilding the wing walls on the upstream side of the bridge. Some areas of brickwork had deteriorated so badly that they had to be cut out and replaced with new.
Scaffolding training
At the beginning of October, a local building company offered the services of one of their professional scaffolders to erect scaffolding at both bridges free of charge to the Trust and to train our volunteers. Our thanks go to Jason Kavanagh from K W Bell for their help and support. It is very much appreciated.
With the scaffolding in place we were able to proceed carefully with the complete dismantling of the parapets down to the top of the arches and start rebuilding.
All in the preparation
One of the challenges of the project was that the two bridges are some considerable distance from Okle Clifford Farm and are located on the flood plain. We spent considerable time laying down building materials on site while the ground conditions were favourable. This was to ensure that we had everything in place before the weather turned.
In the background, a lot of effort was going into the design of the new bridge. We were very fortunate to have the help and support of Thomas Ashworth of Tony Gee & Partners during this process and our thanks go to them.
We greatly appreciate the ongoing support of landowners Gloucester Charities Trust and tenants, Hartpury College, as we all work together to deliver this Project for the benefit of the community, thank you.
Please note that the site will not be open to the general public until the canal has been formally completed.
>> PH
