Farlow Bridge repairs postponed

Work to repair Farlow Bridge, which was scheduled to start on Monday 14 October 2013, has been postponed because the work requires a specialist sub-contractor who is unavailable to start until later in the year.

The bridge, which carries the Farlow to Hardwick Forge road over the Farlow Brook, was to be closed for up to a fortnight to enable stainless steel reinforcing bars to be installed in its arch barrel.

The council’s term contract contractor, Ringway, is meeting with the sub-contractor to agree a start date, and it is hoped that it will be possible to carry out the proposed work during November 2013.

When the work starts it will be necessary to close the bridge to traffic for a period of up to a fortnight.  This is partly to ensure the safety of the contractor’s workforce, and partly to avoid loading the bridge until holes cored in the arch barrel to receive the reinforcing bars have been grouted up.

Claire Wild, Shropshire Council’s Cabinet member responsible for bridge maintenance, said:

‘‘Whilst it is disappointing that the work has had to be postponed, the council remains committed to carrying it out and we will confirm the start date as soon as we are able to do so.

“It is also appreciated that when the work does start, the bridge closure will cause some inconvenience, and everyone involved will do all that they reasonably can to reopen it as soon as possible.”

When the bridge is closed, traffic will be diverted via Norton and Hinton.  However, access over the bridge for pedestrians and dismounted cyclists will remain available as usual.

Madge Shineton, a local Shropshire Councillor for Cleobury Mortimer, said:

“The council is committed to completing this before Christmas, and detours will remain the same as planned.”