Fire crews called in as searing heat jams Barton Swing Bridge

Fire crews have been hosing down Barton Swing Bridge after it got stuck while letting a ship pass.

The heatwave expanded the metal structure, which is believed to have caused a malfunction.

Pictures taken at around 2.15pm on Thursday afternoon show firefighters using their hoses to cool down the carriageway, which links Salford’s Barton-upon-Irwell with Trafford Park.

Traffic was turned away during the closure.

A spokesman for Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service said crews were alerted to the bridge being stuck in the heat at 2.12pm. It was moving again within a few minutes after being drenched with water.

Fire crews cooling down Barton swing bridge in Salford, not too far from the Trafford Centre as temperatures rise to 40 degrees. Thursday 25th July 2019 (ABNM Photography)

The grade II listed bridge, which runs parallel to the Barton Swing Aqueduct, works by swinging from a central pivot when ships need to pass beneath on the Manchester Ship Canal.

The bridge and aqueduct were inaugurated along with the Manchester Ship Canal in 1894, though a bridge had existed at this location for over 200 years.

Fire crews cooling down Barton swing bridge in Salford, not too far from the Trafford Centre as temperatures rise to 40 degrees. Thursday 25th July 2019 (ABNM Photography)

The same problem occurred last summer when the bridge was jammed for 30 minutes due to the heat.