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Debris clear-up starts at 15th Century bridge

Kate JusticeWest Midlands
News imageFriends of Powick Old Bridge An orange crane with a large claw sits on the edge of a river bank with a low bridge in the background which is partially collapsed on the right side.Friends of Powick Old Bridge
Councillor Alan Amos said the crane would stay in place until all the debris was cleared

Work has begun to clear the debris that has piled up after the partial collapse of a 15th Century bridge in Worcestershire two years ago.

Driftwood has since accumulated at Powick Old Bridge in Worcester, which was further damaged in Storm Claudia in November.

Councillor Alan Amos, of Worcestershire County Council, said subject to weather conditions "all the debris will be cleared as soon as possible".

He said: "It's excellent news, the crane is on site, it's continuing to clear the debris and it will remain on site until all the debris is cleared."

Amos added the clear-up had been delayed because it had been difficult to access the site.

"The crane hasn't been able to get there because it can't sit on a road and reach over to pull the debris out. It has to sit on the river bank so that it can reach the debris," he said.

News imageFriends of Powick Old Bridge A large collection of logs, branches and other vegetation is built up in a river and trapped by a low bridge that has partially collapsed on the right side.Friends of Powick Old Bridge
Amos said the crane had struggled to get close enough to the bridge to clear up the debris

There is a multimillion-pound plan in place to repair the bridge, which was also the last scene of the Battle of Worcester - on 3 September, 1651

Work has been earmarked to start next year with £5m of funding made available.

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