OSBASTON pupils joined local dignitaries and contractors for the official ribbon-cutting ceremony at Inglis Bridge as the major refurbishment of the project has reached its final stage ahead of the opening to the public later this month.

The ceremony celebrated the completion of the restoration works on July 16 and was attended by Catherine Fookes, MP, Mayor of Monmouth, Councillor (Cllr) Rob Barrell, Monmouthshire County Council’s Leader, Cllr Mary Ann Brocklesby, Cllr Sara Burch, Cabinet Member for Rural Affairs, Housing and Tourism, town councillors and Ministry of Defence contractors, whose work has been vital to help open the bridge crossing.

Some of the final works include the removal of the contractor work compound and completing associated site clearance activities but to ensure the safety of the public is prioritised the bridge will have to be closed temporarily while these final tasks are carried out.

Local dignitaries at Inglis Bridge opening ceremony.
Local dignitaries at Inglis Bridge opening ceremony. (Iliffe Media )

Cllr Jane Lucas, for Osbaston Ward has played a significant role in the Inglis Bridge restoration process.

“I have been involved from the very beginning. From that I had a lot of involvement from the residents and we needed to find a way of helping so I went to the MOD and was informed that what we really needed was some ‘high up’ money and pressure brought to bear, hence the petition and thank you to all the 6,500 people that did sign, that was brilliant,” said Jane.

“A long way down the line: It was September 2024 when the bridge closed and now we are July 2026 and it’s happened. It’s not often you hear good news stories, but this is one.”

Catherine Fookes, MP for Monmouthshire has also lobbied for funding and been a part of the bridge’s opening.

“It’s amazing to be here on Inglis Bridge which is going to be open fully very soon and the contractors and Monmouthshire County Council and everyone have done an amazing job getting the bridge open and it’s so important that we build bridges not walls.”

Dan Fry, Project Manager on the Inglis Bridge Repair Scheme, said: “I worked with the WSP team to come up with a solution on how we could repair it and get it back into operation. From that point I was heavily involved in the procurements to get the contractors involved to improve the solution we came up with.

“One of the biggest challenges we had was the time of year we were aiming to start the repair and the restrictions. It was at that peak point we decided to lift the bridge out and place it in the field adjacent so we could work on it in isolation so it’s safer for the work force and you do get a better repair.

“We were really struggling to lift it out in the first early stages, that went really well in the end.”

A resident-led community celebration is being held on August 31 to allow for the completion of the bridge to be celebrated by everyone who uses it.

Monmouth’s Inglis Bridge is one of two left still in use emphasising its special and historic value in the community.