A historic bridge that has stood for over 250 years has been saved from potential redevelopment thanks to the efforts of two local campaigners.
Borrows Bridge, that sits over the Bridgewater canal in Runcorn, has now been granted Grade II status by Historic England after a sustained effort led by Rik Cotterill and Stephen Holloran, who campaigned to have the bridge recognised as a historical structure and save it from a new land development. Included in the listing is an old marvel of engineering- the original hand-cranked crane that sits beside the bridge.
The listing also protects the historic bridge from being altered or built on, which was also a concern for Rik and Stephen, who have themselves been maintaining the bridge against vandalism since before the application for Grade II status was filed seven months ago. The duo say that the success is one small step in their fight against the larger Sandymoor and Wharford Farm development forwarded by Homes England.
