Historic bridges across Warwickshire to get £6.6m makeover to try and stop deterioration

A number of listed bridges and another built by monks are to be given a £6.3m makeover in an attempt to stop their deterioration.

Councillors at this week’s annual meeting of Warwickshire County Council approved the historic bridge maintenance programme that will see work carried out on eight bridges across the county.

Cllr Jo Barker (Con, Shipston) explained: “The bridges are significantly deteriorating in terms of stonework and any work that has to be done to them as an emergency obviously costs considerably more.”

She added that her neighbouring Honington Bridge was Grade II Listed while Cllr Mike Brain (Con, Bidford and Welford) explained that another of those on the list - Bidford Bridge - had been built in the 15th Century by local monks using stone from Bordesley Abbey after it had been demolished by Henry VIII.

Work is expected to take three years and nearly £5m of the funding has come from the Department for Transport’s Challenge Fund.

A report before the council explained: “Delivery of this programme will reduce the need for unplanned/reactive lane and/or road closures, reduce the use of both temporary and permanent weight restrictions and minimise the likelihood of major long-term disruption to the highways network.”

Among the other bridges to be repaired are Bretford Bridge near Rugby, Cole End Bridge in Coleshill and Castle Bridge in Warwick.