STONEMASONS are to start major repairs to an ancient Oxfordshire bridge from pontoons in the River Thames.

The £400,000 project will restore Shillingford Bridge, which was built in 1827.

Over the years, traffic crossing the bridge has damaged the stonework and three years ago the masonry was waterproofed to prevent further erosion.

It was also made one-way, to reduce the damage caused by constant heavy traffic.

Engineers have had to wait three years for the stone to dry out before embarking on the next phase of the restoration.

County councillor Rodney Rose said: “This is a very important project which will protect Shillingford Bridge for years to come.

“The waterproofing work in 2007 has proved successful and we can now press ahead with the repairs.

“The work should cause no disruption to traffic, which is also pleasing.”

Stone masons will replace blocks on the stone arches, fascias and parapets from the pontoons underneath the bridge.

The road will remain open throughout the seven-month project, but one of the two pavements will be closed.

Boat users have been told to approach the bridge with caution, as they will have to pass through the smaller side arches instead of the main span.

Warborough and Shillingford Parish Council chairman Michael Herbert said the bridge was vital to village life, allowing residents to travel easily to Wallingford to shop.

He said that repairs done 40 years ago were done in an unsympathetic manner adding: “There has been a fairly major campaign of cutting out and putting in new stonework. This will give the bridge a new lease of life.”

A river crossing at Shillingford is first mentioned in the 14th century. A ferry operated until a wooden bridge was built in 1763, before being replaced by the stone arch bridge in 1827.

lsloan@oxfordmail.co.uk