A 150-year-old road bridge near Winsford is all set for the next century thanks to a six-month restoration project.

Whitegate Bridge in Clay Lane, Marton, was constructed in the 1860s to carry traffic over the former Winsford and Over branch line – now the Whitegate Way countryside path.

The old steel deck had rusted beyond repair and has now been replaced with a reinforced concrete structure with brickwork facing. The original brick wing walls have been retained.

Carried out by contractor, Eric Wright Civil Engineering Ltd, further improvements including a new road surfacing, footway construction, fencing and traffic signals.

Completion of the bridge will be welcomed by local motorists, who have followed diversions around the works since January.

Winsford Over and Verdin clr, Lynda Jones, said: “I am delighted that these major works to improve Whitegate Bridge are now complete – a real positive investment in the community to improve safety for all.

“We would like to thank local residents for their patience during the works; the materials used mean that the bridge should not need any maintenance for quite some time to come.”

Timber propping was installed in 1970 and supported the bridge deck. This had also started to deteriorate and show signs of rot.

The bridge was previously owned by British Rail and transferred to Cheshire County Council in 1991. The railway line was closed in the late 1960s, and Whitegate Way was opened as a pedestrian and cycle route in the 1970s.