Buildwas Bridge to close for essential repairs in February 2013

Buildwas Bridge, which carries the A4169 Buildwas to Much Wenlock road over the River Severn, is scheduled to be closed to traffic for up to two weeks in February 2013 for essential repairs. 

The proposed work will involve replacing the bridge’s expansion joints, which cross the road surface at each end of the bridge, and resurfacing the road over the bridge.  The work is necessary because the existing bridge joints are no longer watertight and are beginning to break up. 

Unfortunately, for safety reasons, it will be necessary to close the bridge to traffic to carry out the work.  It is therefore proposed to close the bridge to traffic for up to two weeks starting on Saturday 16 February 2013. 

The second week of the proposed closure is only intended as a contingency measure in case the work is delayed by bad weather.  Provided the weather is reasonable, it is envisaged that it should be possible to complete the work and reopen the bridge to traffic by Monday 25 February 2013. 

To try to minimise disruption when the bridge is closed, the work has been programmed to start at the beginning of the school half term holiday week. 

When the bridge is closed, it is proposed to divert traffic along the B4380 and A458 roads via Leighton, Cressage and Much Wenlock. 

Access over the bridge for pedestrians and dismounted cyclists will remain available throughout the proposed work. 

Simon Jones, Shropshire Council’s Cabinet member responsible for bridge maintenance, said:

“This is essential work which needs to be carried out to enable the bridge to continue to function safely in the long term. 

“Whilst it is appreciated that the bridge closure will cause some disruption, please be assured that everyone involved will do all that they reasonably can to reopen it as soon as possible.”