THE OPENING of Stroud’s new Brewery Bridge will now not go ahead until mid-July after contractors admitted the latest in a catalogue of setbacks that have plagued the project.

Last month it was announced the £1.8 million bridge over the A46 would be revealed by the end of June after icy conditions and flooding meant its originally scheduled opening in November had to be postponed.

Now the project team say its opening will have to be shelved for a third time because of the ‘complexity of road surfacing’ work on site and other general delays putting the finishing touches to the structure.

Project manager Nigel Edgeworth said they also wanted to allow the majority of canal works to be completed beneath the bridge before it is opened to traffic.

"Although this does delay the bridge opening it will minimise disruption to the public once the bridge is open," he said.

He added that the brickwork to the bridge elevations is nearly complete and the finishing works such as towpath fencing and parapet railings are starting to be installed.

The council has also agreed to include an extension to the western towpath and additional support to an embankment on the northwest edge of the site in the scheme to link into future canal restoration work.

Cllr Will Windsor Clive, cabinet member for communities, including highways, at Gloucestershire County Council said it was ‘extremely disappointing’ to hear of the latest setback.

"The contractor is now working weekends and some nights to complete traffic sensitive operations such as surfacing without too much disruption.

"I would like to apologise for these further delays and wish to thank everybody for their continued patience.

"It will be worth it in the end."