Historic Bridge Restored, Swinging into Action

0:00A historic railway bridge designed by engineering legend Robert Stevenson in 1834 is back in action after a full restoration. This beauty carry coal over the Grand Union Canal at Soar Lane in Lester until the 1950s. Now fully operational, it's the star attraction at the Mount Sorel and Rothley Community Heritage Center in Lestershire. The bridge has quite the journey. It started as a working swing bridge that lifted for barges below, fueling Lester's hosiery factories with coal. Later moved to sites like Abbey Pumping Station and Snipsden Discovery Park, it fell into disrepair when those closed, with much of the wood too, damaged to save. Folks at the Heritage Center see it as a key piece of Lester's industrial revolution story. It operated daily for over a century, kickstarting local industry by linking coal supplies to factories. Steve Krav from the center calls it vital to the city's past. They didn't just patch it up as a display. Using the original ironwork donated by Lester City Council in 2020, they rebuilt it with

1:04a working winding mechanism for 55,000 pounds. Completed this year in 2025, it's ready to lift again. Catch the official opening this Saturday and Sunday, tying into the center's tent anniversary. This restoration brings a slice of history alive, proving old iron can still swing with the times. That's the story for today. What's your news today, Driven by AI?