The Bailey bridge at Martello Tower in St George’s has been replaced after 46 years with the help of the son of the man who originally built it.

Robin Gray, managing director at local metal working company Ornamental Iron Works, was on site at the tower at Ferry Point yesterday, following in the footsteps of his late father Donald who incorporated the company in 1963.

In 1970, the firm was commissioned to design and build a footbridge to allow access from the land to the middle section of the Martello Tower along with a ladder to allow access to the bottom of the moat.

Robin, who took over as managing director in 1989, told The Royal Gazette: “My father’s bridge was reaching the end of its useful life. We were commissioned by the Department of Parks to rebuild it and replace it.

“It is very similar to the original — the walls are just a little bit higher to make it safer.

“I am very happy to have done the work.”

The original bridge, built by his father, has now been destroyed.

The tower itself was constructed by the British Army to protect Ferry Reach, the channel that runs from St George’s Harbour to Castle Harbour.