A ROTTEN pedestrian bridge over the Dudley No. 2 Canal near Old Hill Station is to be repaired and brought back into use to enable people to get out walking along the region’s canals.

The Canal & River Trust has announced it will be replacing the deck of Wrights Bridge, which has been closed to the public for several years due to safety concerns.

The announcement follows the successful completion of extensive towpath improvements in Rowley Regis.

The project, which focused on enhancing two key routes including the Old Mainline and The Dudley No.2 Canal, has already shown significant positive impacts on the health, wellbeing, and active travel habits of local residents.

The improvements have transformed the towpaths into vital community assets, with research showing a marked increase in their usage. Data from towpath counters has shown a 103 per cent increase in the average daily user count.

Councillor Peter Hughes, Sandwell Council’s cabinet member for regeneration and infrastructure, said: “We welcome this announcement and look forward to the work being completed next year.

“By making the bridge safe and reopening it to the public we are re-invigorating the area as a place to visit, enjoy and use in our everyday lives.”

Henriette Breukelaar, regional director for the West Midlands for Canal & River Trust, said rotten timber supports had left Wright’s Bridge closed - adding: “We are delighted that we can now install long lasting glass reinforced plastic replacements so people can once again easily and safely cross from one side of the canal to the other, for at least the next 60 years.

“The Black Country’s canals are a fantastic asset. We thank Sandwell Council for their support with this project.”

The work will be part funded from Sandwell Council’s Towns Fund grant and is expected to start in spring 2025.