Shipton Bridge to close for essential repairs

Shipton Bridge, which carries the B4368, Shipton to Morville road over the River Corve near Shipton, will close to traffic on 20 August 2012 for up to six weeks to enable essential repairs to be carried out to it.
 
The proposed work will involve taking down and re-building the bridge’s western edge. This is necessary because this part of the bridge has deteriorated to the point that many of the stones in the arch which support the road are now beginning to crumble.
 
Unfortunately, because of the narrow nature of the bridge, it is necessary to close it to traffic to carry out the work safely. It is therefore proposed to close it to traffic from 20 August 2012 for up to six weeks.
 
When the bridge is closed, light vehicles will be diverted via Weston Lane.
 
Because Weston Lane is not wide enough to allow large vehicles to pass one another, it is proposed to introduce a temporary 7.5 tonnes weight restriction along the lane for the duration of the bridge closure. This restriction will include an exemption to allow the lane to be used by the emergency services and to allow heavier vehicles to gain access to those properties situated along the lane.
 
During the bridge closure period, vehicles heavier than 7.5 tonnes will be diverted along the A458 and B4378 roads via Much Wenlock. Unfortunately, this will mean that the existing 7.5 tonne environmental weight restriction which currently exists along the B4378 road between Much Wenlock and Shipton will have to be temporarily revoked. However, once the bridge re-opens, this will be reinstated.
 
Access over the bridge for pedestrians and dismounted cyclists will remain available throughout the proposed work.
 
John Williams, Shropshire Council’s bridges and structures manager, said:

“This is essential work which needs to be carried out to enable the bridge to remain open in the long term.
 
“Whilst it is appreciated that the bridge closure will cause some disruption and inconvenience, please be assured that everyone involved will do all that they reasonably can to re-open it as soon as possible”.

Milner Whiteman, Shropshire Councillor for Belle Vue, said:

“This work has to be done and it will mean the road has to be closed and diversions are essential. I hope that the diversions listed will not cause too much disruption and that motorists will drive with extra care on the narrow roads which are having to be used for the period of the road closure.”