00:00Today, English Bridge, also known as Vauxhall Bridge, in Monmouth was due to be lifted from
00:05its original position by a crane as part of its long-awaited repair works. The works attracted
00:12local residents who gathered to watch the significant moment for the town. We spoke to
00:18an archaeologist on the project who gave us a further insight into the bridge's history.
00:24Hello, my name is Kate Churchill. I work for Churchill Archaeology. I'm here today because
00:30we're lifting the English Bridge. I'm the archaeologist employed by the MOD and WSP,
00:37and one of the reasons I'm here is the English Bridge was installed in 1931, but it sits on top
00:44of two earlier bridges. So there was the White Bridge in 1905, which was a timber bridge, and then
00:50there was another bridge on top before that that we know was there from at least 1880, but it could
00:56be medieval, and that was a stone bridge. So when they lift the bridge, we might be able to get glimpses
01:02of the earlier bridges beneath it. For many people, this bridge was a great walking group,
01:08and we spoke to a local resident who used the bridge often. Hi, I'm Craig Anderson. I live in
01:14Osbaston, and I can't wait to see the English Bridge restored, as it gives us access to all the
01:19Boxall Fields, and it's a really handy look looking. For the little kids who come down here and play in
01:24this route, they've had to go the long way around through town past Iceland. It's been a real
01:30inconvenience. There's not as many green spaces in Osbaston that are easily accessible without coming
01:35over the river, so it has been challenging. The planned lift of the bridge didn't take place today,
01:45but it is commencing again on Wednesday morning at 8am. For further information on the bridge's
01:52operation, you can head over to our website at TheMommashaBeacon to find out more.
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