The operation to remove the MOD-owned Inglis Bridge which has served as an access bridge to Vauxhall Fields since 1931 began earlier this morning.

Following pressure from local councillors, residents and MP Catherine Fookes, funding of around £1 million was secured from the Ministry of Defence and associated bodies to carry out essential repairs and refurbishment. This includes the plan to lift the entire structure off its supports so that timber decking can be replaced, steelwork repaired and repainted, masonry restored and debris removed in a controlled environment. New swing gates and signage are planned to improve safety and accessibility.

The operation began with the arrival of a huge crane, then lifting platforms were placed under the bridge and the crane was given extra ballast as a counterweight to the bridge.

The structure proved heavier than originally thought and extra counterweights were brought up from the company depot for the crane.

A site engineer told the Beacon that due to the nature of the Grade II listed structure, great care had to be taken.

“We had to use bottle jacks to try to lift the bridge off its seat so that all four points of the bridge would lift at the same time as the last thing we wanted was to have the bridge being pushed and pulled as it was lifted.”

The operation was called off as the light began to dim and will commence Wednesday morning at 8am.

A site engineer said that the cement fixing the bridge to its foundations was so hard, “our jackhammers just bounced off it” and had to bring in a larger pneumatic jackhammer.

Preparatory work took most of Tuesday morning to ensure the bridge could be lifted off its foundations.

Prior to this, work such as access improvements, security installations and platforms for cranes were completed. The completion is targeted by Easter 2026.

Initially the bridge will reopen for pedestrians, cyclists and similar users, with future planning for limited vehicular access to follow