INGLIS bridge is undergoing repairs and on course for an August reopening, with the community invited to attend a community celebration and ribbon-cutting opening.

The grade II-listed bridge was lifted on February 26 after much long-waited anticipation following the failure of the attempted lift several times due to unexpected issues.

Catherine Fookes, MP had a lot of involvement in updating residents on the process and lobbying the Ministry of Defence to secure the £1 million funding to repair the bridge and raising the issue in Parliament several times.

She visited the bridge to monitor the updates and progress so far. Contractors repaired the steel on the bridge which had corroded. After the repairs are made to the bridge it will be lifted back into its place which it has been in for years on Vauxhall fields, with the signing of paperwork and safety requirements before it can be fully accessible to residents again.

Catherine was told by the contractors at the site that there is an expected date of the end of August of when the repairs will be finished with a possibility of an earlier finish if the progress continues at the current pace.

Catherine Fookes MP said: “It feels like ages ago that I was raising this in Parliament and lobbying the MOD for the funding, so it’s fantastic to finally see the work so close to completion.

“After securing the £1 million needed to refurbish the bridge, we’re now nearly there and I’m told it could even be finished ahead of August if all goes well.

“This will make a real difference to dog walkers, residents and school children who use this route. I can’t wait to see the bridge back in place and celebrate with the community.”

As well as residents, Cllr Jane Lucas has shown huge efforts to push for work to be set out on the bridge.

“As soon as the bridge closed, I immediately recognised the huge impact it would have on residents and local families.

“Since then, I have worked closely with the Ministry of Defence, launched a petition which secured more than 4,000 signatures, and encouraged their MP to help apply pressure and secure the funding needed for these vital works.

“It is brilliant to see the repairs now almost complete, and I am incredibly proud of everyone who played a part in making this happen.

“In particular, I would like to thank the local residents who helped create and take part in the campaign film, which clearly showed why these repairs were so urgently needed.”

To mark the reopening of the bridge, residents are planning a community celebration and ribbon-cutting ceremony on Monday August 31, which takes place on a Bank Holiday Monday.

“This is not a political event; it is about bringing the Monmouth community together to celebrate a positive outcome for local residents. Everyone is invited, and we look forward to sharing more details nearer the time,” added Jane.