Work is progressing on the £7.3 million conservation of the historic Union Chain Bridge in Berwick-upon-Tweed.

Developments have been made on the second round National Lottery bid.

The second round bid will include a masonry inspection, investigation of the existing paintwork, strain gauge monitoring and handrail works.

The bridge will be closed for ten weeks, beginning on Monday 10 September and running from 9am-5pm. It will remain open on the weekends.

Pedestrians and cyclists will continue to be able to use the bridge but may face short delays.

A fully signed diversion route will also be in place for the duration of the closure.

The Union Chain Bridge, built by Captain Samuel Brown in 1820, is currently the oldest operational suspension bridge in the world still carrying vehicles.

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Scottish Borders Council has joined up with Northumberland County Council, community group the Friends of the Union Chain Bridge and Museums Northumberland on the scheme.

A spokesperson for the partners of the Union Chain Bridge project said: "We realise this is a lengthy daytime closure but it is absolutely essential as part of the second round bid to the National Lottery to help us determine the condition of the bridge.

"Alongside conserving and promoting the Union Chain Bridge, our project also aims to raise the profile of nearby attractions, providing learning opportunities for young people inspired by the bridge's innovative engineering, and developing meaningful cross-border heritage projects and partnerships.

"We hope local people understand the need to closure the road to vehicles during weekdays, with the bridge fully open to all at weekends and still open Monday to Friday for walkers, cyclists and horse riders."

The Union Chain Bridge project also aims to use the structure and its conservation to develop educational resources and case study materials for the teaching of science, technology, engineering and maths subjects from primary schools up to postgraduate level.

(CM/MH)