THE swingbridge at Lydney Harbour was finally persuaded to leave the position it had been stuck in for years after putting up a bit of resistance.

The bridge was moved on Tuesday (May 17) but workers from nearby Mabey Bridge had to resort to cutting through seized bolts to release it.

The bridge has been fixed in place for many years, preventing boats from sailing further up into the basin and mooring.

Repair works by Mabey Bridge will fix the operating mechanism and allow the bridge to swing open and to close under the harbourmaster’s supervision.

Worn timber cladding on the surface will also be replaced to improve pedestrian access.

The work is part of the regeneration of the harbour which is being undertaken by a partnership of owners the Environment Agency along with the Forest District and Lydney Town councils.

Government funding of £10,000 meant a coastal community team could be established to serve the Lydney docks and harbour area and a £50,000 Coastal Revival Fund grant was approved for improvements.

The docks and harbour area is a scheduled ancient monument so government heritage agency Historic England had give its blessing to the proposed programme of works.

It is expected the restored bridge should be returned to position over the canal in early August.

Forest Council leader and coastal team member Cllr Patrick Molyneux (Con, Woolaston and Hewelsfield) said: “This is Lydney Coastal Community Team’s first project and I’m delighted to hear that a local business has secured the contract to bring the harbour’s swing bridge back into use.

“Mabey Bridge is an advanced engineering company that delivers smart bridging solutions throughout the world and they will now be able to apply their wealth of knowledge and skills to this unique heritage restoration project and add it to their list of global achievements.”

Dane Broomfield, of the Environment Agency, added: “As owners of the swing bridge we are extremely pleased that this project has been given the go ahead.

“There will however be an element of disruption to the public over the summer months with the bridge not in position and we hope that people will understand the importance of the restoration works for the boating community.

“While the works are taking place we will be installing signs to inform visitors of the temporary closure and details of alternative crossing points to the harbour side.”