Mystery still surrounds the question; how structurally sound is the Teme Bridge in Tenbury Wells? A statement given by WCC Cllr Pollock to the Tenbury Town Council at their February 2010 meeting, seemed to indicate that only remedial repairs are required but this seems at odds with WCCs own bridge report compiled after the last principal inspection in 2005 which read:-
Extract from Worcester County Councils bridge report.
A4112 Teme Bridge, Tenbury
Teme Bridge carries the A4112 over the River Teme in Tenbury Wells, linking the town itself to the A456, which provides the strategic route to Worcester and Kidderminster to the East, and Ludlow and Leominster via the A49 to the West. The alternatives routes in Tenbury from this directions involve narrow and hilly roads that are particularly unsuitable for the Heavy Goods Vehicles bringing goods to the town centre businesses.
The original bridge dates back to the Fourteenth Century, although the southern three arches were re-built in the Eighteenth Century. In 1815 the northern three spans were widened to a design by Thomas Telford, and further widening was undertaken in 1868. In 1908 reinforced concrete extensions were constructed on both elevations of the bridge to a design by L.G. Mouchel and Partners.
The structure therefore comprises of six sandstone arches, with spans varying between 7.2 metres and 8.4 metres, with widening having been undertaken using reinforced concrete beam and slab construction. In 1952 the soffit of the concrete extensions were treated with sprayed concrete and most recently in 1995 additional transverse beams were installed to strengthen the southern three spans. This last piece of work followed an assessment that identified the need for a weight restriction if strengthening work was not carried out.
Such a restriction would have a significant impact upon local businesses within Tenbury. A Principal Inspection (PI) in October 2005 identified further problems with the bridge, notably erosion of masonry, cracking and displacements of stonework, water penetration of the reinforced concrete extensions, and spalling of the concrete.
Additionally, the south-east wingwall is showing signs of movement, probably due to settlement of the fill behind the abutment. Given the above it is likely that major repairs will be required to Teme Bridge, and these will form a high priority due to the need to maintain a reasonable level of access to Tenbury itself. Further site investigations are underway to establish the interface between the original arch structure and the concrete extension and to allow a full assessment of the bridge to be completed.
Given the historic nature of this structure, there will be extensive consultation with English Heritage, whilst the timing of any works will need to be the subject of extensive local consultation to minimise the disruption that will inevitably occur locally.
The proposed programme and associated costs for Teme Bridge is as follows:
Year Action Cost
2006/07 Investigation and reassessment of concrete extensions £15,000
2007/08 Detailed mapping of defects to support ancient monument consent £30,000
2007/08 Feasibility and English Heritage liason £15,000
2007/08 Design of strengthening £30,000
2008/09 Masonry repairs (provisional) £450,000
2008/09 Strengthening of concrete extensions (provisional) £600,000
Total £1,140,000
A4112 Teme Bridge, Tenbury
Teme Bridge carries the A4112 over the River Teme in Tenbury Wells, linking the town itself to the A456, which provides the strategic route to Worcester and Kidderminster to the East, and Ludlow and Leominster via the A49 to the West. The alternatives routes in Tenbury from this directions involve narrow and hilly roads that are particularly unsuitable for the Heavy Goods Vehicles bringing goods to the town centre businesses.
The original bridge dates back to the Fourteenth Century, although the southern three arches were re-built in the Eighteenth Century. In 1815 the northern three spans were widened to a design by Thomas Telford, and further widening was undertaken in 1868. In 1908 reinforced concrete extensions were constructed on both elevations of the bridge to a design by L.G. Mouchel and Partners.
The structure therefore comprises of six sandstone arches, with spans varying between 7.2 metres and 8.4 metres, with widening having been undertaken using reinforced concrete beam and slab construction. In 1952 the soffit of the concrete extensions were treated with sprayed concrete and most recently in 1995 additional transverse beams were installed to strengthen the southern three spans. This last piece of work followed an assessment that identified the need for a weight restriction if strengthening work was not carried out.
Such a restriction would have a significant impact upon local businesses within Tenbury. A Principal Inspection (PI) in October 2005 identified further problems with the bridge, notably erosion of masonry, cracking and displacements of stonework, water penetration of the reinforced concrete extensions, and spalling of the concrete.
Additionally, the south-east wingwall is showing signs of movement, probably due to settlement of the fill behind the abutment. Given the above it is likely that major repairs will be required to Teme Bridge, and these will form a high priority due to the need to maintain a reasonable level of access to Tenbury itself. Further site investigations are underway to establish the interface between the original arch structure and the concrete extension and to allow a full assessment of the bridge to be completed.
Given the historic nature of this structure, there will be extensive consultation with English Heritage, whilst the timing of any works will need to be the subject of extensive local consultation to minimise the disruption that will inevitably occur locally.
The proposed programme and associated costs for Teme Bridge is as follows:
Year Action Cost
2006/07 Investigation and reassessment of concrete extensions £15,000
2007/08 Detailed mapping of defects to support ancient monument consent £30,000
2007/08 Feasibility and English Heritage liason £15,000
2007/08 Design of strengthening £30,000
2008/09 Masonry repairs (provisional) £450,000
2008/09 Strengthening of concrete extensions (provisional) £600,000
Total £1,140,000
This report, refers to further investigations, which were carried out by Fugro Aperio using Video and Ground Penatrating Radar. This revealed that the records that showed the concealed arches had been filled in were incorrect, so the cracks were not settlement cracks as previously thought but structural cracks.
Fugro Aperio's summary.
A local retired Bridge Engineer has also carried out a visual inspection of the Bridge and believes that it has significant problems.
WCC are said to have £1M per financial year to spend on Bridges. This is not much when you consider the vast number of bridges in the County. The repairs to Fleet Bridge is due to take about £4.5M!
Emergency repairs have also been carried out to Ham & Easton Bridge and are currently being undertaken at Knightwick Bridge so the budget must be well in the red.
Could WCC be playing fast and loose with Tenbury and just hoping nothing too drastic happens, or perhaps hoping that the Bridge collapses and they get central government aid.
I can see that all Councils are in an impossible position, with the massive reduction in Central Government Grants and the desire the keep Council Tax bills as low as possible, but on the other hand, the loss of the Teme Bridge (or the long term closure) will do significant damage to the Towns prosperity. I don't hold with the view that any planning application should be denied purely on the grounds that it will increase the HGV traffic flow across the bridge, because the increase in percentage terms is insignificant, but the Truth about the state of the bridge does need to be revealed and appropriate action undertaken, even if this is one way working or a temporary weight restriction, which will be a major inconvenience, but nothing compared with the loss of the bridge.
Recent photographs published by the TesNo group seem to support the findings of the Bridge Report, rather than the recent statement.
A local retired Bridge Engineer has also carried out a visual inspection of the Bridge and believes that it has significant problems.
WCC are said to have £1M per financial year to spend on Bridges. This is not much when you consider the vast number of bridges in the County. The repairs to Fleet Bridge is due to take about £4.5M!
Emergency repairs have also been carried out to Ham & Easton Bridge and are currently being undertaken at Knightwick Bridge so the budget must be well in the red.
Could WCC be playing fast and loose with Tenbury and just hoping nothing too drastic happens, or perhaps hoping that the Bridge collapses and they get central government aid.
I can see that all Councils are in an impossible position, with the massive reduction in Central Government Grants and the desire the keep Council Tax bills as low as possible, but on the other hand, the loss of the Teme Bridge (or the long term closure) will do significant damage to the Towns prosperity. I don't hold with the view that any planning application should be denied purely on the grounds that it will increase the HGV traffic flow across the bridge, because the increase in percentage terms is insignificant, but the Truth about the state of the bridge does need to be revealed and appropriate action undertaken, even if this is one way working or a temporary weight restriction, which will be a major inconvenience, but nothing compared with the loss of the bridge.
Recent photographs published by the TesNo group seem to support the findings of the Bridge Report, rather than the recent statement.
Click on picture to enlarge. (Use your back button to return to blog)
Posts
17 comments:
Tesco or no Tesco - this is a town issue. As you say WR15 - if the bridge is forced to close for repairs it'll drastically affect existing town trade/access and deliveries etc. All this in this climate of challenged trade in the town anyway and a poor tourist season.. WCC need to fess-up and put town prosperity first - 2011/2012 may be too late for this bridge..
A couple of points on the bridge: I was told, and reported to the Town Council, that the next major inspection was due in 2011, as they are carried out on a 6 year cycle. In between these inspections a more superficial one is carried out every two years. Any significant changes in the state/safety of the bridge would be picked up in these interim inspections. As a result of the last major inspection, major renovations were scheduled for 2011/12 and that still stands, as far as I am aware.
The Holt Bridge repairs have thrown out the general budgeting as the annual repair budget of £1million has now to cover that cost as well. BUT that cost is £1.7million, not the £4.5 million mentioned in the original post.
The state of the bridge looks vaguely alarming but there is a lot of difference between what looks bad to a layman and what would cause a professional bridge engineer to put on restrictions.
Think of the last time you watched the wings flexing on the plane that was taking you to the Med!
Anyone wanting a more official reponse should contact Cllr Derek Prodger at County Hall.
Sorry, got my £4.5 project to renew the water main by Holt Bridge muddled with the £1.7 project to repair the bridge.
I suggest that Tenbury's too reliant on the one old and fragile bridge over the Teme. It's the town's lifeline - if it closes [even partially] due to structural issues then the town's trade will undoubtedly suffer.
It's narrow, fragile, a protected Scheduled Ancient Monument and runs over a SSSI. We shouldn't be solely relying on it in the context of the future growth and health of the town. I'm aware that I'm suggesting a massive investment but I think a relief bridge needs to be considered [or maybe re-considered?].
At the end of the day it'll be money spent in guaranteeing Tenbury's future wellbeing.
No more lay opinions then.. The opinion of a Chartered Mechanical Engineer [not me] who has substantial experience of concrete structures.
Part 1 of 2.
i) The bridge is far from being a monolithic structure with some very old sections incorporated within it.
ii) The recent photos indicate some very serious structural problems, relating to possible asymmetric settlement, deep shear cracks etc.
iii) Any cracks within the reinforced concrete sections will gradually reduce their load-carrying capacity due to water ingress corroding the steel reinforcement (ie re-bar), a process which is accelerated in winter with salt (ie grit) being put down. Unfortunately not only is the re-bar corroding but low temperatures will accelerate spalling of the concrete due to freezing/thawing cycles which in turn is adding to the mechanisms tending to reduce structural integrity
iv) The very shape of the bridge in plan (ie chevron facing upstream) has probably assisted the bridge's ability to withstand the very high forces when the Teme is in flood - witness a number of old/strengthened straight road bridges swept away in recent times in Cumbria for instance due to flooding. However, and I'm only looking at the photos, the significant shear cracks indicate to me that the bridge won't take many more serious flood loadings.
Part 2 of 2
v) Bearing in mind the previous comments, any vehicle loading is creating transient deck loading and associated stress, the higher the load the greater the stress seen by the load-bearing members. Frequent passage by large articulated vehicles having high axle loadings will simply create higher stresses in the possibly significantly corroded re-bar, eventually leading to structural failure.
vi) Given that the bridge is the only local path into/through the town, it is crucially important that its current state be acknowledged by all who live, work, shop, farm, pass through in the area, and that includes Local/County Councillors and the County Highways Dept who I think are responsible for its integrity. More bad winters and flooding will accelerate the deterioration of the structure. Everyone should be mindful of the enormous difficulty created if the bridge had to be closed or restricted to single lane with a maximum axle loading.
In conclusion the same individual summarises/proactively suggests:
"I've read the various on-line comments, seen the latest photos and am very concerned for the future longevity of the bridge even without the added possibility of additional Tesco HGVs..."
If I were the Highways Authority I would be:
a) Proactive in getting another detailed survey done very swiftly.
b) Doing a structural analysis based on the survey results - it might bring up a few nasty surprises.
c) Bringing forward as a priority any remedial works - a bit late in the year now but ...
d) Generating a long term plan for a potential bypass around the town or secondary bridge.. Given the financial situation it means living with the existing structure for a good while longer though either way.
e) Enforcing an HGV ban or imposing a max axle loading.
My blood ran cold whilst watching the footage of the bridge at Workington which collapsed with the loss of a policeman's life during the floods in Cumbria last year.
It's too big a risk - at the very least a weight limit should be imposed until the necessary work has been done.
Does anyone know if tyhe bridge is a scheduled ancient monument or is it just a listed structure.
Sorry Wellsman
As Bumblebee said, ... a protected Scheduled Ancient Monument...
Wcc should put a weight restriction on Teme Bridge of 7.5 tonne as they have with Holt Heath Bridge as this bridge is even older than that one, They have had Years and Years to sort out this problem but there again it's like the roads in Tenbury Crap !! and we as taxpayers are paying for it in damage to our Cars !!!
Having enquired about the latest position on the bridge, I can pass on the following from the County engineers:
"Teme Bridge repairs, in whatever form they turn out to be after the ongoing desktop structural analysis are scheduled for a start within the 2011-2012 financial year. They will now commence in the latter quarter of that year as a result of spreading a two year budget forecast over three years as part of the austerity measures.
Engineers are currently are on target with the next stage, the structural analysis of the masonry arches. A laser scan has recently been undertaken of the structure so that up to date condition factors can be fed into the structural analysis This process will enable engineers firm up on the realistic options for taking the repairs and the overall final solution forward. The results will be shared with the community in the new year as part of the development of the delivery programme."
I hope this will re-assure those who are concerned about the state of the bridge. It will always be narrow and restricted but that makes the traffic slower and inherently safer. Slower trafic means less damage to the road surface - it rises with the 4th power of speed - and I think very few grocery lorries will ever get close to the 44tonne limit.
Thanks Ken. You have made some very valid points. It's disappointing that the repairs appear to have been pushed back to 2012, but that is the financial situation we find ourselves in.
if the truth is known yes there should be a restricted limit on the teme bridge, but then you will get a lot of shops moaning cause there products wont get into the town and they will say that there business will suffer, but then on the other hand they should of thought sbout that before they built the industrial estate at the top of bromyard road which is pathetic, that should of been a shopping centre but no tenbury dont think sensible
Teme bridge is Tenbury Wells. It is part of the towns identity, every time there is a news item on the town the initial shot is usually of the bridge.I think that constant repairs are very short sighted.A number of old bridges like ours especially in the southern counties are now pedestrian/cycles only and a new bridge has been built. I really dont think you need to be any type of engineer to realize that the bridge will not take many more floods!Most of the current damage is, i believe due to 2 seasons of floods.As the yanks say "do the math" And i know theres no money but how much will it cost when it falls into the water?
if the bridge is that bad why isnt the council repairing it.
Post a Comment