Bridgnorth bridge repairs run up £50k bill after lorry crash as roadworks cause disruption
Repair work to a bridge which remains closed after a HGV collided with it will cost £50,000.
A 50-year-old was taken to hospital after his lorry crashed into the Broad Bridge on the B4176 in Stableford near Bridgnorth yesterday.
The driver managed to escape from the vehicle, and was taken to New Cross Hospital with chest pains.
Remedial repair work, which will cost £50,000, will not be completed until Spring 2018 due to the statutory consents required, the procurement of materials and because working with lime mortar is not suited to cold, freezing and wet conditions.
The HGV was retrieved and removed from the embankment yesterday but the bridge will remain closed to traffic whilst temporary edge protection is installed at the bridge, and traffic is currently being diverted locally via the A442.
The protection has been ordered and will be installed this week by Shropshire Council’s contractor, Ringway.
The retrieval of the stone from the watercourse and the erection of temporary traffic signals will be undertaken at the same time.
It comes as calls are being made for safety improvements to be made to the bridge in the past.
Jack Fullwood, of nearby Stableford Hall, believes motorists travel too quick on the approach to the bridge.
He said: "This bridge is a narrow one-way bridge and is notorious for accidents.
"We have complained many times to the police, Shropshire Council and the Police Commissioner.
"Shropshire Council on one occasion said they could not widen the bridge as it was a listed structure. We have pointed out to them that the listed bridge is Stableford bridge on the road between Stableford and Badger.
"Although the approach to the bridge is signposted at 30mph and traffic from Telford going towards Wombourne are supposed to give way, it rarely happens.
"Traffic speeds are well in excess of 30mph and the give way sign is frequently ignored."
Mr Fullwood said a motorcyclist was recently killed on the same stretch of road within 500 metres of the bridge, and has called on Shropshire Council to do something.
He said: "It's about time Shropshire Council got its act together and either widened the bridge or put in traffic lights.
"How difficult can it be in this day and age to put in solar powered traffic flow activated signals?"
Shropshire Council has been contacted for comment.
