Calls to fix 'unsafe' bridge amid collapse fears

Residents are calling for authorities to fix a bridge in Cheshire amid fears it could collapse.

A 7.5-tonne weight limit was imposed on the A530 Baddington Lane bridge in Nantwich on 29 September after it was found to have what Cheshire East Council described as reduced structural capacity.

But people living near the site said lorry drivers were not abiding by the restriction and were still using the bridge instead of the diversion put in place by the council.

The authority and National Highways, which manages the bridge on behalf of owner the Historic Railways Estate, said they were working together to find a solution.

Susan Horowitz-Beech, who lives next to the bridge, said it was "unsafe" and was worried it could collapse at any moment.

"The embankment is collapsing, it has been for some time," she said.

"Lorry drivers are consistently ignoring the weight limit that's been imposed.

"I'm really worried that the bridge will collapse and someone is going to be killed. The bridge wasn't designed with today's traffic in mind."

She said she wanted someone to "take ownership of the problem and fix it".

Meanwhile, the 30-mile (48.2km) diversion via Whitchurch is said to be causing issues in nearby Audlem, as drivers try to find alternative routes which are not officially part of the new system.

Abbie Bradbury-Smith said: "They often get stuck in the village square because of the number of parked cars in the street. I'd like to see the bridge either removed or fixed so the traffic returns to normal."

Robert Parton, from South Cheshire Chamber of Commerce, said the issue was having a "detrimental effect" on businesses and claimed there had been "very little information" from the council.

"We need certainty and we're not getting that," he said. "This bridge has been a decaying asset for a very long time and I'm afraid that's not good enough."

Graham Dyed, a lorry driver for Crewe-based Cooper Buckley, said he had to turn down work because of the lengthy diversion.

He said he used to cross the bridge five or six times a day before the restriction was put in place and what was a 20-minute journey was now at least an hour with the diversion.

"I can see why lorry drivers are ignoring the weight limit," he added.

"It's poorly-signed and by the time you've realised it's too late, there's nowhere to turn around unless you reverse at least two miles to where it's safe."

Cheshire East Council apologised for the inconvenience and said the bridge's issues amounted to a "complex civil engineering project".

The authority said a study had been commissioned to identify possible solutions and it was expected to be completed by the end of March, after which a decision would be made on how to proceed.

"We are also aware that some drivers continue to ignore the temporary weight restriction," Councillor Mark Goldsmith said.

"We are working with our partners to explore further options to address this and this includes enforcement."

He said he understood the diversion route was causing difficulties but it needed to be "safe and suitable" for all vehicles.

"We apologise for the inconvenience caused to anyone affected by the restrictions and particularly to Cheshire East businesses that have been impacted," he added.

"However, we must prioritise public safety before we can reopen this section of highway fully to all road users."

National Highways said it carried out repairs to the bridge during spring last year, adding that the council was responsible for implementing the weight restriction and "further strengthening".

"We have met with the council, offered to transfer ownership of the bridge and discussions on its future are ongoing," a spokesperson added.

"We informed the local authority that the bridge required strengthening in 2022. We also offered to make a financial contribution towards their strengthening scheme but the council declined the offer."

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