Britain’s crumbling bridges pose a weighty problem

Britain is bridge land. A crinkled coastline and almost 1,500 rivers means that for centuries, the country has been at the forefront of bridge technology.

However, modern Britain is now seriously struggling with aging river crossing infrastructure.

Across the river Severn, that’s proving a problem. In recent inspections, the M48 Severn Bridge was deemed to have deteriorated.

To avoid serious damage, a weight restriction will be applied from next month, banning vehicles over 7.5 tonnes.

This will seriously affect freight traffic across the crucial England to Wales corridor, expected to divert as many as one in ten lorries.

Engineers are facing similar challenges on the Hammersmith and Albert bridges in London, the Redheugh Bridge in Newcastle and the Tees Transporter Bridge in Middlesbrough.

Bridges are not just nice things to have. Restrictions and closures divide communities, hinder business and cost a fortune to fix.

Unfortunately, the responsibility to do so often rests with financially stretched local authorities.

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