SHALDON Bridge could be opened again soon, for the first time in years.

The structure has a span that can be lifted by hand to allow large or tall vessels to pass by.

Although there have been no requests for it to be opened in decades, the machinery still has to be maintained and kept in working order by act of parliament.

The last time it was raised was about ten years ago and now county council engineers are working on servicing the mechanism, at great expense. The county insists that, if necessary, it could also be opened by a crane.

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