THE Pontcysyllte Aqueduct will be closed to pedestrians until mid-February as maintenance work is carried out.

Completed in 1805, the aqueduct carries the Llangollen Canal across the River Dee.

The 18-arched stone and cast iron structure is used by narrowboats and took ten years to design and build.

The aqueduct was inscribed by UNESCO on the World Heritage List on 27 June 2009 and has by now become a hugely-popular attraction to both tourists and locals.

But, for now, visitors must steer clear whilst winter maintenance work is carried out there with a locked high gate in place across the pathway to deny access.

According to the Canal and River Trust, who look after the aqueduct, it will be closed for its annual maintenance until Friday February 18.

The towpath will be fully closed at all times for the duration of the works and a diversion will be in place.

The navigation will be closed from 9am to 3.30pm Monday to Friday only.

A spokesperson for the Canal and River Trust added: "The gates are closed for our annual general maintenance work that happens every winter.

"There’s no pedestrian access to keep everyone safe. The walkway will reopen on February 18."