Wrexham,North Wales - Paint vandals attack historic Packhorse Bridge in Caergwrle

Published date: 05 July 2016 | 

Published by: Owen Evans 
Read more articles by Owen Evans Email reporter

A historic village bridge dating back to the 17th century has been vandalised by yobs.

Caergwrle councillor Dave Healey expressed his anger that blue paint has been daubed across the historic Packhorse Bridge.

Cllr Healey said the bridge forms an integral park of Caergwrle’s rich history and offenders who target structures of heritage such as this should be dealt heavy punishments.

He said: “I am appalled by the spate of vandalism at the Packhorse Bridge.

“The local community has had heritage lottery funding to support a ‘Sense of Place’ project which aims to raise the profile of this village, which has a great heritage.

“This mindless action flies in the face of the work we are trying to do.”

It is not the first time the bridge has been targeted by vandals, with coping stones removed from the structure last year and thrown into the River Alyn.

Cllr Healey added: “It’s one of the best examples of its kind in Wales and probably the oldest bridge to cross the River Alyn.

• Follow and like the Leader Live Facebook page by clicking here

“It forms an important part of the village trail which is being developed and will also be part of the Wales Link Path which is being developed by Flintshire Council.

“I would urge members of the local community to be vigilant and report known offenders or if anyone has any information, to call the police and report it.”

Cllr Healey said he would now get in touch with the Welsh Government asking them to look at whether stronger punishments can be handed out to those who carry out vandalism attacks on heritage sites.

The bridge has overcome several issues in recent years, including being nearly destroyed during heavy flooding in 2000.

Tree roots have also caused structural problems over the years.

The bridge dates from the mid-17th century and is associated with Squire Ellis Yonge of Bryn Iorcyn Manor.

It incorporates seven arches to reduce the impact of the flow of the River Alyn during periods of flooding. Packhorse bridges were generally of a narrow construction and the Caergwrle example has two triangular recesses in the parapet walls for pedestrians who might meet a packhorse train while crossing the bridge.

The low parapets allow the passage of bulging packs slung on each side of mules and packhorses.

see-http://www.leaderlive.co.uk/news/163954/paint-vandals-attack-historic-packhorse-bridge-in-caergwrle.aspx