TRAFFIC is once again able to cross the Avon at Figheldean, after a new £340,000 bridge over the river was officially opened on Thursday last week.

Gerald Gear, who has lived in the area nearly all his life, Philip Dawkins and Finlay McCulloch, the village's oldest and youngest residents, were invited to perform the opening ceremony, which was also attended by Allan Peach, chairman of Wiltshire county council.

Earlier in the year, an assessment of the old bridge had revealed that it was not up to European standards.

It had to be replaced with a modern structure capable of carrying much heavier loads.

Wiltshire county council decided to give the contract to Ringway Highway Services.

The road over the bridge was closed on May 4 and village traffic diverted through Bulford and Netheravon.

Workers had to be careful not to contaminate the Avon during the course of the project and the single-span bridge was designed with this in mind.

The abutments were constructed behind low walls, which prevented dirty water clouding the river, and all the water pumped from the excavation was passed through a settlement tank before being allowed to filter through vegetation back into the river system.

To minimise the possibility of polluting the river during the deck construction, prestressed and precast concrete beams and edge beams were used.

These should remain virtually maintenance-free during the life of the bridge, unlike a deck incorporating steel beams, which would require regular repainting.

Mark Baker, ward councillor for Durrington and the surrounding area, said: "The cost has been higher than normal because we had to engage in special conservation measures.

"We weren't allowed to contaminate one drop of water, so we had to be extremely careful and work under very controlled conditions.

"But if we hadn't done the work, we would have had to put a weight restriction on the bridge, and that would have severely impacted on the lives of people living in Figheldean."

He added: "I have to pass on my compliments to the villagers.

"The bridge over the river was their main road in and they've had to go the long way round these past few months, but they've coped admirably.

"There were no incidents, and I thank the villagers of Figheldean and the parish council for their co-operation."