Eastham Bridge collapse: Work on replacement could start in weeks

The new Eastham Bridge over the River Teme, near Tenbury Wells, will include parts of the old Grade-II listed 18th century bridge that crumbled into the river on May 24, but will not be "like for like", Worcestershire County Council bosses have said.

Talks had taken place with specialist engineers over a temporary replacement bridge, but authorities decided to push ahead with a permanent replacement as permission for a temporary one elsewhere could take longer due to the area's designation as a site of special scientific interest.

Residents in Eastham village and the surrounding area currently face a 10-mile diversion to get across the river.

Councillor Marcus Hart, the cabinet member with responsibility for highways, said: "I am delighted that we are now in a position to be able to announce the construction of a new bridge at Eastham.

"We recognise the significance this bridge has on the lives and livelihoods of people in the area, which is why we have made every effort to come up with the best, long term solution as quickly as possible.

"The new bridge that we will be building cannot be a like for like replacement for the old, listed bridge, but it will include some of the original elements of the old bridge and most importantly will get people moving across the river as quickly as possible."

He said work was expected to start mid-October and the bridge will be operational by April next year.

"There is a lot of work to do. We will be bringing large steel beams and equipment on to the site.

"We ask local people to bear with us while the work is being done.

"We will continue to keep them fully informed about how the work is going and when we expect them to have their bridge back again," he said.

Since the collapse of the bridge, the Council has been working with the Environment Agency, Historic England, Natural England and Malvern Hills District Council.

West Worcestershire MP Harriett Baldwin said: "This plan has taken some delicate negotiations with several regulatory bodies and I am grateful that agreement has been reached and work can begin.

"Obviously the work will be carried out over the winter time so it is crucial that we don't have a very wet or cold winter which will affect the time lines to getting a new bridge open."

Specialist independent assessors are still preparing a detailed report on the collapse of the bridge, but say it likely caused by the scouring of its foundations by fast-flowing water.