The Great Central Railway are preparing to complete work on a historic canal bridge over the Grand Union Canal in its quest to rejoin to the two sections of the line.

The bridge crosses the canal in Loughborough, just north of the heritage railways engine sheds.

In September, the new bridge was put in over the mainline in the quest to rejoin the GCR with the GCR(N).

A full survey of the canal bridge was carried out in 2014 to allow workers to see what work was needed on the bridge.

The bridge last carried trains back in 1969 before the GCR was closed by British Railways.

The work is expected to cost around £400,000.

To avoid disruption to boat traffic, the work to the bridge is expected to be carried out in Autumn 2018.

Michael Gough, Great Central Railway’s General Manager, said “As the final touches are applied to the new bridge, the question now being asked is ‘What next?’ The most obvious section to tackle next is renovating the bridge over the Grand Union Canal. Undertaking this work does not require planning permission and access to the site is relatively easy from both the rear of the engine shed and from the canal towpath beneath.”

• Visit the Great Central Railway Website
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