Call for restoration of historic Union Bridge

Campaigners have spoken out about the need to restore a 200-year-old bridge which is of the world's oldest suspension bridges still carrying traffic.

A call has been made for the restoration of the historic Union Bridge, opened in 1820, which links Scotland to England via the River Tweed. The bridge is one of the oldest suspension bridges in the world still carrying traffic and is now deteriorating, having being closed for a year at one point, due to concerns about its condition.

Berwick Preservation Trust is considering becoming involved in the campaign, with the possibility of being able to access funding towards a restoration. Chairman Jamie Andrew told BBC Scotland: 'We are currently looking at a number of projects and have been asked if we could potentially get involved with a project to restore the Union Chain Bridge.

'If it did, we would be looking to lever in grant funding but responsibility for maintaining it in the long term would remain with Northumberland County Council and Scottish Borders Council.'

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