Closure to vehicles of Bidford-on-Avon Bridge: November 2024
Why is Bidford River Bridge closed to vehicles?
Significant structural damage to the listed ancient monument on the B4085 Honeybourne Rd was caused by the driver of a Road Traffic Collision on Saturday 10 August. This resulted in major structural damage to the parapet and pedestrian landing area. This is a safety issue for all road users. The former packhorse bridge is only one carriageway lane wide. There is insufficient space for vehicles to cross the bridge with a temporary vehicular barrier in-front of the compromised parapet. Had the bridge remained open to vehicles the structure and members of the public would have been at considerable risk. It has remained open to pedestrians since the incident using barriers and fencing.
What is the formal diversion route?
The signed diversion route is to the south of Bidford on Avon, via the B4085 and use of the A46. Local commuters are known to use their own route through Welford on Avon. Due to the structural weight limit and classification of Binton Bridge (on the C46 Binton Rd), the use of automated temporary traffic lights has been used to control the ‘give-way’ single lane bridge crossing. This has been in attempt to regulate the local traffic flow and prevent vehicles from queuing on the bridge.
Diversion route map (PDF, 284 KB)
Is Bidford River Bridge open to cyclists?
Cyclists are instructed to dismount on crossing the bridge. Barriers on site are positioned to encourage this in respect to the limited space used by others and fencing which lines the area affected. This includes pedestrians, wheelchair-users, pushchairs, and dog-walkers. WCC, as the Highway Authority, would appreciate the co-operation of cyclists obeying the instructions to dismount for the duration of the repairs.
What’s being done about the mass debris that’s floated down the river onto the bridge?
The Avon Navigation Trust (ANT) on the County Council’s behalf worked to clear the significant level of trapped debris on 31 October. This included a 12-metre tree trunk, other fallen and cut timbers and natural loose vegetation that had accumulated over recent weeks. This exercise had to take place from within the river due both to its sheer volume and the bridge’s structural weight limit. Close to 60 tonnes worth of debris was retrieved, filling the works barge pictured below.
What consents are required for the repairs to the bridge?
A Scheduled Consent for repairs to an Ancient Monument was secured from Historic England in September. Detrimental weather and flooding of the River Avon in early October delayed access for a structural inspection, undertaken by engineers and stonemasons. This has now determined that the area of repair goes beyond that originally envisaged, evident in the cutwater stonework above the navigable span. This in turn requires additional scaffold beyond that previously agreed by Avon Navigation Trust (ANT). Further scaffolding and its associated consent from ANT are to be secured as soon as possible with an intended installation commencing 4 November.
What is the start date on site?
Work to repair the compromised area from the collision has started, with part of the parapet dismantled as far as the original scaffold supports. The movement in the vertical face on the navigable channel side of the pier now requires a systematic dismantling of the stonework on both faces upstream, which the additional scaffold will support. Works are therefore expected to proceed as of the first week of November.
It should be noted that a lot of work, the majority of which will be unseen by the public, has got us to this point. It has taken time to secure both consents, scaffolding design, access arrangements and procure the services of the stone masons, and materials needed for the repairs.
What is the duration of stone repairs?
It is estimated that six weeks working time is required for the stone masons to dismantle and rebuild the cutwater faces and parapet at this location. The repair programme is reliant on suitable weather conditions. Flooding in early October delayed the completion of constructing the scaffold system on the floodplain that provided access for structural inspection.
What is being done to accelerate the works and minimise the repair time?
A number of options are being explored at this time, through discussions with the contractors involved, one of which includes weekend working. The nature of historic masonry repairs, cutting individual stone blocks by hand and using lime mortar for example is temperature dependent. The appointed stonemasons are advising on what is realistic in term of the expected programme. The systematic process of rebuilding the cutwater pier, parapet and elevations will rise a limited number of courses at any one time, giving sufficient time to cure and set before proceeding.
Night-time working has been considered but, for a number of reasons, not considered feasible at this time. These reasons include the remote location of the works on the river, risks associated with working at height, working in the dark with lighting provision, ecological factors and the noise levels of the works in proximity to the residents of Bidford-on-Avon along the river edge and on the High Street.
When will the road be open to vehicular traffic?
The road will be reopened to vehicles as soon as the stone parapet can safely support them. The original intended target date, following the collision, was to reopen the road by the end of November. Due to adverse weather that led to the River Avon flooding in October, and with the additional repairs now required to the navigable channel elevation of the cutwater, this is now estimated to be mid-December.
Who is paying for the repairs?
The cost incurred by WCC as the Highway Authority cover managing the initial incident onsite, the associated traffic management costs to completion and repairs to the ancient monument bridge structure. This cost is subject to a pending insurance claim against the representative(s) of the driver responsible.
For those affected by the subsequent road closure, it is suggested that they seek their own legal counsel and contact the driver’s insurance representative(s).