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Opening of the
Dudley Weatherley Jubilee Bridge
A Bridge from the
Community to the Community
at Tiverton Road Bridge Car Park & Picnic Area |
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Report by Louise Hodgson |
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| With inspiring results,
work has been completed on the first new structure to be built on the
Devon section of the Grand Western Canal for a quarter of a century. On Saturday 1st
December, the Dudley Weatherly Jubilee Bridge was formally opened by DCC Chairman, Mary
Strudwick, in front of a crowd of fifty. Named after a local artist who has campaigned for
the restoration of the Grand Western Canal since the 1960s, the foot bridge was the result
of a collaboration between Devon County Council and volunteers. |
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The Tivertonian
is escorted
along the canal
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Mrs. Strudwick arrived
at the bridge on the local horsedrawn trip-boat, the Tivertonian, accompanied on
this excursion by guests who had been involved with the project. During the trip they
passed over one of the few remaining aqueducts on the canal before arriving at the new
bridge. Paying tribute to the many people who helped to make it happen over the past two
years, Mrs. Strudwick said that it was a "wonderful occasion. I am privileged to be
part of it and very grateful to all who contributed." |
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Building
the bridge was the idea of Malcolm Trump, chairman of the local angling club. He
explained: "The bridge will provide a secure access to the canal towpath at Tiverton
Road Bridge. Club members and all canal users will be able to get from the
car park to the
towpath without having to brave the hazardous main road. It’s wonderful to see it
finished. It has been a big learning curve for all of us," he went on. "And
everyone involved has thoroughly enjoyed it." |
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Mrs.
Strudwick pays tribute to those
who contributed to the project
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