A HUGE legacy left in the will of a canal enthusiast will fund the replacement of a steep 70-year-old footbridge in Braunston.
The so-called ‘Ladder Bridge’, built on the canal towpath in 1948, is a ten foot high up-and-over bridge with steep wooden steps mean it is inaccessible to many.
After various attempts to replace the bridge failed due to lack of funds, a generous legacy of £100,000 from the late Peter Andrews means a new bridge – to be named after him – can finally be built.
Former London schoolteacher Peter took early retirement in 1994 and moved to a flat in Braunston Marina to indulge his passion for the canals. He walked the Braunston towpath daily, litter-picking as he went.
Peter died of cancer earlier this year at the age of 83, leaving his whole estate to various charities.
Tim Coghlan of Braunston Marina said: “Probably no one knew the problems posed by the Ladder Bridge better than Peter. Peter’s last dog, a rescue called Molly, was so nervous of it that Peter had to carry her over it.”
He said Peter responded enthusiastically to his suggestion of making a donation to the Canal & River Trust for a new bridge, saying he would be ‘very honoured’ for it to be named ‘Peter’s Bridge’.
Tim added: “In my final email to Peter, I wrote: ‘Now I know that ‘Peter’s Bridge’ will go ahead, it will be a fitting monument to your friendship to so many, your generosity and courage, and your great love of our waterways’.”
Tim told The Observer how the bridge was built in 1948 by the newly formed British Waterways Board to allow surplus working narrowboats to be stored at a time when post-WWII canal carrying was in steep decline, effectively cutting the towpath in half.
“Canal leisure use was in its infancy, and the Braunston towpath itself was in a very sorry state – so there was little if any objection,” he said.
“The steps have been twice modified in recent times to make them a little easier and safer, but the Ladder Bridge remains unusable to wheelchairs, push chairs, anyone unable to climb those steep stairs, and some dogs which cannot cope with them.”
Writing in tribute to Peter, Canal & River Trust CEO Richard Parry said: “The Canal & River Trust is hugely grateful for the selfless and dedicated volunteering that Peter did, literally every day and in all weathers, to keep the Braunston flight tidy and in the best possible condition for visitors to enjoy – and also for the generous legacy he has left to help us replace the Ladder Bridge at Braunston.”
Canal & River Trust engineers are now investigating the best solution to suit all canal users, including the possibility of a swing bridge or a lifting bridge.
