The Grade II listed Victoria Bridge re-opened on January 15 following a ten month restoration project.

But the structure is already showing signs of disrepair with the surface peeling.

Bath and North East Somerset Council told the Bristol Post: “The council is aware of this problem and the contractor will be returning to the bridge on Monday to rectify the problem at no cost to the local taxpayer.”

The bridge was built in 1836 as the prototype demonstration of James Dredge’s patented taper chain principle.

Over 50 further bridges were built throughout Britain, Ireland, India and Jamaica, using the same principle and Victoria Bridge is the eldest of a small number of the survivors.

The bridge was closed to the public in 2010 amid concerns about its condition and consequent strength and stability.

Balfour Beatty Civil Engineering Ltd started refurbishment last year when the bridge superstructure had to be completely dismantled and reconstructed.