It being thought desirable to widen the bridge over the original course of the river Avon, on the Worcester road, a parish meeting was held on the subject on the 25th of January. Thomas Caddick, esq. having submitted a plan and specification of the intended alterations, and suggested that the trustees of the Turnpike-Roads might probably be induced to take upon themselves the care and responsibility of the undertaking, if they were assured that one-half of the expenses could be raised by the voluntary subscriptions of individuals, and by a contribution from the parish, --- it was unanimously resolved,

         "That the Surveyor's of the Bye-Roads for this parish be authorised and required to pay to the Trustees of the Tewkesbury district Turnpike-Roads, on or before the 25th March next, the sum of one hundred pounds, towards the contemplated expense of widening and improving the Bridge over Old Avon, provided the said Trustees carry the intended improvement into full effect."

      Mr. Caddick and Mr. John Moore, at the request of the meeting, undertook to solicit subscriptions; and having, in a short time, succeeded in obtaining upwards of 600l. the Trustees of the Roads deputed Messrs. Caddick, Petly and J. Moore, to carry the projected improvement into effect.

     The width of the road, between the walls of the old bridge, in the narrowest part, was only twelve feet four inches; and it has now been extended to twenty-one feet. This increased accomodation was effected by placing strong iron brackets, at intervals, on each side of the old structure, and bracing each pair of brackets together by two large wrought-iron bars, running entirely across the road. On the brackets were placed thick plates of cast-iron, so as to form the road of the required width, and on the outer edges of these plates are introduced lofty and handsome iron balustrades. A raised footpath, of two feet wide, has been formed on each side of the driving way, for the convenience of pedestrians, and to prevent carriages from going to the extreme width of the iron plates.

     The turnpike-road on each side of the bridge, to a considerable distance, was widened many feet; to accomplish this, the foundation walls were neccessarily strengthened and extended, and a new stone pier, projecting eight feet from the old wall, was built at the north-east corner of the bridge.

     The iron-work was cast and erected by the Coalbrook-Dale Company, and that, as well as the masonry, is of the most substantial kind. These improvements were all perfected under the immediate superintendance of Mr. Richard Tree, the surveyor of the roads in the Tewkesbury District; and so admirably and economically were the whole of them completed, that the highest praise is alike due to Mr. Caddick and his colleagues, and to the very able and active surveyor.

     The entire cost of this undertaking ( independently of a considerable sum expended in the foundations of the bridge by the surveyors of the highways ) amounted to 1,390l.10s.10d. Of this sum, the Trustees of the Roads received---

From the parish of Tewkesbury-------£.100

Subscribed by the inhabitants of Tewkesbury and its Vicinity------£.610

Interest on Deposits, allowed by Bankers--------£.20

Total----------£.730