AMBITIOUS plans to restore and reopen a 177-year-old bridge could be a catalyst for a tourism boost for Bridgwater, the Inland Waterways Association hopes.

The association has unveiled its vision for the Grade-II listed heritage site in a bid to reconnect the town to the River Parrett and make it more attractive to tourists.

The IWA wants to restore the Bascule Bridge and Barge Lock to full working order while connecting the River Parrett and Bridgwater and Taunton Canal which will open up 34 miles of waterways.

The IWA also hopes to use Bridgwater Docks as a marina for boats in addition to canal boats, as well as developing dockside amenities.

Bridgwater Docks is currently owned by Somerset County Council and part-leased to the Canal and Rivers Trust, which expires in July 2020.

But the lease does not include the bridge, which is owned by SCC, although it does include the water channel underneath it.

Mike Slade, from the West Country branch of the IWA, said “it would be a shame” if nothing was done to repair the bridge. Somerset County Council owns the bridge but it will cost a lot of money to fix it,” Mike said.

“We know it is not their top priority when they are so cash-strapped but it really needs doing. A lot of the problems in securing funding for projects comes down to the fact the lease is up in two years and that causes uncertainty.

“The bridge has not been closed properly for a long time and you can feel it move when you walk over it or when a car goes across. Despite the weight limit on the bridge we have stopped at least a dozen lorries, and that is just when we are down here.”

Dave Chapple, secretary of Bridgwater Trades Union Council, said he supports the scheme as it could result in the bridge being ‘a real tourist attraction’ for the town.

“It would be fantastic to rejuvenate it as part of the Celebration Mile and the new development on Northgate,” Mr Chapple said.

“It is such a brilliant potential asset to the town, I hate to say it but you feel that if this area was in Bristol, Taunton or Gloucester, something would have been done here already.”

The IWA has drawn up a report titled, Our Vision’ for the Grade 2 listed Bascule Bridge, which says restoring the sites “could play a significant role in attracting visitors to Bridgwater.”

The report said: “There is a strong argument that the Bascule Bridge is the premier heritage asset within the docks and that its restoration to full working order would not only attract the general public to Bridgwater and its docks, but historians, archaeologists and waterway enthusiasts as well.”

“It will connect up the two waterways and potentially create 34 miles of navigable waterway in turn generating opportunities for leisure, recreation and tourism.”

A spokesman for Somerset County Council said: “We’re supportive of the desire to restore Bascule Bridge. The scale of the project means it is likely that external funding would be required and we are happy to work with other interested parties to identify possible revenue streams and support any applications.”