An historic County Durham road bridge is to be lovingly restored piece-by-piece, as a council project enters its next phase.
Durham County Council is carrying out work to restore Whorlton Bridge to its former glory, following the authority’s successful bid to the government’s Levelling Up Fund.
Whorlton Bridge formally opened one hundred and ninety three years ago, in July 1831. The bridge is a nationally important archaeological site, given its classification as a Scheduled Ancient Monument by Historic England.
Preparatory works ahead of its restoration are now complete and the council is ready to begin the process of dismantling the bridge.
The team will record around 1800 components before inspecting, ‘shotblasting’ (cleaning or stripping), testing and repainting.
Given the bridge’s status, the existing colour will be used in the repainting and the council is using samples of the original paintwork to make sure this happens.
The components will then be returned to their original position on the bridge, ensuring wherever possible, that original materials are reused.
The bridge remains on course to open to the public next year. In the meantime, it will remain closed to all traffic, including walkers and cyclists, with diversions in place throughout the duration of the works.
To watch a video about the work, visit:

Photo by Richard Laidler.