HEREFORDSHIRE COUNCIL STATEMENT (033/08)

Re: Colwall bridge

Herefordshire Council is concerned that one of the barriers which keeps traffic to a safe route across Colwall bridge had been moved.

Due to the condition of the beams supporting the highway, only a narrow route across the bridge is safe for traffic to use – this route is constrained through the use of metal barriers.

On Monday this week, March 17, council officers were made aware that one of the barriers had been moved - this was confirmed by an inspection.

The barrier has now been reinstated back to its original position.

“The barriers are there not out of choice but out of necessity,” said Martin Jackson, the council’s construction project manager.

“It would appear one of the barriers had been moved about six inches. We believe this may have been on purpose – the bolts holding it down had been sheered.

“Because of the state of the bridge there is only one narrow safe route across it. That’s why it’s essential the barriers are not moved and that traffic over the bridge sticks to this safe route,” he added.

March 19 2008