Posted on Friday 14th February 2025
Work to reinforce Branston Bridge is now under way.
Engineers are currently on site at the Victorian Bridge, working on installing a concrete saddle reinforced with fibres to strengthen the bridge.
Crews are working to remove the pavement, kerbs, and part of the road surface.
Once this is done, one of a total of four strips will be excavated across the bridge. A filter drain will be installed and after that, concrete will be carefully poured into the strip in layers before reinstating the pavement and kerbs on top of the first strip.
Once the other three strips have been excavated and filled with concrete, a final concrete layer will be installed across these layers before the road surface is reinstated across the remaining area.
The works, which are funded by Staffordshire County Council and are costing over £500,000, will take around 15 weeks to complete. Once completed, they should last 10-15 years, allowing time for any plans for a replacement bridge to be developed.
These repairs mean it can be fully reopened to two-way traffic, including full weight 44 tonne vehicles that have permitted access.
Pedestrian and cyclist access is being maintained throughout the works, but cyclists will have to dismount to cross the bridge.
Staffordshire County Council Cabinet Member for Strategic Highways Mark Deaville said:
“It’s good to see our engineers onsite working to strengthen the bridge. This is an incredibly complex issue, and it has taken time to come up with an appropriate solution that will allow the bridge to be re-open to traffic while also protecting the structure. Our crews are now hard at work on this repair, which is being done in stages.
“After speaking with hundreds of local people last week, we understand how much this bridge means to them and how essential it is to get this repaired. We’re doing what we can with the budget we have available, and we will continue to lobby central government for the £20-£30 million it would cost for a new bridge.”
More information on the repairs can be found on the Branston Bridge website.