Ludford Bridge, Ludlow closure

A large hole has been made in Ludford Bridge, Ludlow’s wall by a vehicle on Sunday 21 February 2016. The hole is substantial, and has also disturbed the adjoining wall and its attachment to the road surface.

Shropshire Council received a call from the police via its Customer Service Centre at 9.50pm on 21 February.　

As a safety measure the road/bridge was closed at 10.15pm on Sunday 21 February to all vehicles. Pedestrian access was deemed safe, along the opposite side of the bridge.　　 Barriers were erected to direct pedestrians and prevent vehicle access.

Shropshire Council’s priority now is to keep traffic moving, and diversions have been put in place along the A49 and into Ludlow via Henley Road and Gravel Hill, due to a height restriction on the rail bridge. Ludford Bridge is still accessible to pedestrians.　

Inspections of the bridge have been undertaken by both our structures team and a bridge engineer. There is some emergency work required before the bridge can safely be used by vehicles, and it looks like the road will need to be shut to vehicles for at least three weeks to undertake the necessary repairs.