Inglis Bridge, the vital link between Overmonnow and Osbaston, has reopened for pedestrians and cyclists.

The unique bridge that is owned by the Ministry of Defence, (MoD) was closed in September 2024 after safety concerns were identified.

The listed structure was closed by the MoD to vehicles in 2018 but remained a vital link for pedestrians and cyclists.

A £1m funding package had been secured by the MoD to reinstate pedestrian access over the Inglis Bridge with the goal to restore the bridge by the end of 2025.

But delays forced further closure approval from the Welsh Office.

The plan was to remove the bridge entirely and place it on firm ground whilst the renovation process took place, but the operation was blasted as “gross incompetence from the start” by Monmouth Rotarian Norman Williams with the failure to recognise the weight of the bridge on the first attempt.

Cllr Lucas said that the engineers had calculated the weight of the bridge using the 1931 handbook but the MOD-owned bridge had been refurbished and strengthened by the Royal Monmouthshire Royal Engineers in 1988, 1998, and 2007.

Its concrete footings were secured and steel girders were used to strengthen the bridge for use by traffic and it was these concrete footings which caused so much trouble.

Now with the bridge back in its position over the River Monnow, the ‘Lego blocks’ have returned to the entrances of the bridge to prevent unauthorised vehicle access whilst a more permanent solution is explored.

Currently, vehicular access is only granted to the MoD, who have a camp on the Vauxhall Fields, the one resident who lives there, and the farmer who owns the field.

A community picnic will be taking place on August 31 at 2.30pm and Monmouth Town Council is holding an outdoor cinema event September 20 to mark the landmark occasion of the reopening of Inglis Bridge.