Two Tenbury MPs met on the bridge connecting their constituencies on Friday to celebrate the newly refurbished Teme river bridge. Philip Dunne, MP for Ludlow, and Harriett Baldwin, MP for West Worcestershire, gathered on the bridge to inspect work and to assess the impact of the closure on the town. Worcestershire County Council spent £650,000 repairing the bridge, the original of which was built in 1390. The work was completed ahead of schedule having been closed for ten weeks. The bridge connecting Tenbury Wells to Burford is now fully open to foot passengers and vehicles. Local authorities and trade bodies are now working on campaigns to draw shoppers and tourists back to the town. Philip Dunne said: “I first met Harriett on the Tenbury bridge back in January 2007 when we launched our campaign to get it refurbished. So we were truly delighted to meet up again to see the completed works, including the quality paintwork, and to watch people crossing the bridge once more. “The steady volume of traffic shows what a vital community link this is. It is now important that we all work together to get the message across that Tenbury is fully open for business. “Everyone, from emergency services to tractors, will now get unrestricted access across the river and that is clearly great news." Harriett Baldwin added: “Tenbury is a such an important hub for my constituents in the Teme Valley and the bridge brings in customers to the fine range of local shops. “I am pleased that the work came in under budget and completed ahead of schedule. Philip Dunne and I want to say to our constituents – come and shop in Burford and Tenbury Wells.” Photo: Philip Dunne MP and Harriett Baldwin MP on each side of the Shropshire/Worcestershire border on the newly refurbished Tenbury Bridge over the River Teme