BIDFORD Bridge won’t be reopen until the end of November.
The 15th century bridge on the B4085 Honeybourne Rd was damaged in August when a car collided with the inner walls and became wedged, damaging the parapet and cutwater and compromising the structure.
Work to repair the bridge has begun and a final completion date has been estimated as the end of November, subject to weather and river levels.
The road is currently closed to vehicles while engineers carry out the significant ‘behind the scenes’ work that, while unseen, is essential to the repair process.
This includes instruction of specialist stonemasons, sourcing appropriate materials and design of scaffolding and access arrangements to carry out the work.
The bridge is a Scheduled Ancient Monument and applications for consent to the repair work have been made to Historic England and the Avon Navigation Trust, with the application to ANT still pending.
To accommodate the diverted traffic, temporary traffic lights were put on Binton Bridge in Welford to control traffic making its way from the Evesham Road.
Remaining ongoing repairs to that bridge, and resurfacing of the road, have been suspended for the duration of the works to repair Bidford Bridge.
Disruption will also be minimised with additional necessary maintenance to the bridge being carried out at the same time as the forthcoming repair.
Warwickshire County Council’s transport spokesperson Coun Jan Matecki said: “We know that people have been wondering when the work would be carried out and I can assure commuters that there has been a lot of work going on to get repairs done as quickly as possible and reopen the road.
“We are committed to supporting businesses and the message that the town is open is paramount. A request to upgrade signs, emphasising that it is business as usual, on various approaches to Bidford’s High Street has been actioned.
“I would like to extend our thanks to adjacent landowners and the parish council who have provided space and access around the bridge to co-ordinate repairs. That will be critical in getting work done as quickly as possible.”
